MA in Economics
Camden Walters, 2024
Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone:
My capstone project involved replicating a discrete choice model to estimate expected consumer purchase decisions between new gasoline or electric vehicles (EVs) given state or federal tax incentives, and the associated net loss to social welfare due to deviations from the optimal policy regime. The project drew upon an original 2016 journal article and used updated parameters to account for modern emissions regulations and new estimates for the social cost of carbon.
How did you choose your specific area of study?
I received my undergraduate degree in economics in 2010 and have always been fascinated by the art of using structured, "left-brain," critical thinking to try to creatively solve some of the world's less-than-structured problems. Interestingly, immediately following undergrad I found myself working on analytic, geopolitical issues for the government, but never quite in line with my original field of study. This program enabled me to dive back into the subject area I really loved.
How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?
More practically, my experiences enabled me to step into a national-level senior analytic role covering global economic issues. But perhaps more gratifying is the self-accomplishment of learning more about a subject area that always has, and continues to, intrigue me.
Which accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?
Early this year, I was humbled to be on a panel at Mason's Government Careers Week, which gave me the opportunity to share lessons learned from my career and give back to an incredible and supportive student body.
Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?
Yes! I'd like to thank Professor Jason Dunick and Professor Chris Coyne; their passion for the subject at the onset of the program was encouraging, and their engagement with the students in class is really where graduate-level work shines.
What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?
Be curious. Yes, getting a graduate degree can help you become more competitive for a job, but do it because you truly want to learn the subject. It's a simple paradigm shift, but will go a long way to making your program enjoyable and will encourage you to go beyond the minimum. Don't ask yourself, "What do I need to do to get such and such a grade?" Instead, ask yourself, "What do I need to learn to become a true expert in this topic?"
What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?
I have worked on national security issues for the government going on 15 years now and plan to continue doing so; what this program has allowed me to do is step into a new role as a senior analyst that fuses my prior experience covering geopolitical issues, such as terrorism and disruptive technologies, with some of the most pressing economic issues facing senior policymakers today.