Glenn Berg Enterprising Achiever Award

I became a part of the SFU community in April 2020. Within the field of economics, I've developed a strong passion for econometrics, the branch of economics that employs statistical methods to analyze and interpret data. What drew me more was the application of different concepts that I was learning in a vast amount of fields. 

Outside of academics, I'm gaining valuable experience as a Reporting Analyst with BC Pension Corp, where I apply my analytical skills in a professional context. Furthermore, I'm actively involved in various extracurricular activities. I proudly serve as the Vice-President of the Economics Student Society, where I have the opportunity to contribute to the academic and social growth of our student community. Lastly, I am a member of the FASS Peer Mentor program, where I assist fellow students in navigating their first year at university.

As I gaze into the future, my plans are a kaleidoscope of excitement. I intend to gain work experience for a few years before making a firm decision to pursue a Master's degree. This period of professional growth will allow me to explore different aspects of the field and ultimately make an informed choice regarding my future academic path.

As I approach my final semester at SFU, I can’t help but appreciate the connections, friendships, and opportunities that have come to me through this school. Having transferred from another Canadian university after my first year, I was determined to make the most of my experience at SFU.

In my first week at SFU, I struck up a conversation with a member of the SFU Economics Student Society at Clubs’ day. Little did I know, this casual conversation would ultimately change the trajectory of my university experience. It marked the beginning of my four years of involvement with the Economics Student Society (ESS). Through the ESS I have made countless meaningful connections with both students and faculty members. As the current ESS President, my focus has been to connect Economics students in the post-virtual learning world.

In the latter half of my degree, I discovered my passion for the law. I am particularly interested in the ways in which economic principles appear in legal decisions via considerations of efficiency and transaction costs. This passion has motivated me to excel in the final years of my studies to become a competitive candidate for law school. In September of 2023, I will be attending law school. I plan on using my legal education to pursue a career in civil litigation with the goal of starting my own law practice.

I originally came to SFU in 2018 to study Earth Sciences, however after taking Principles of Microeconomics as an elective in my second year I switched to economics. The course provides a logical framework for interpreting real-world problems, and I found myself gladly spending lots of time on coursework. This led to me enrolling in more economics classes and eventually becoming a part of the Economics Honours program. As I have been pursuing my degree I have also been a member of the SFU varsity swim team, and have competed across Canada and internationally as a result. Once I complete my degree I plan on continuing my swimming career whilst studying economics in graduate school, and I hope to apply economic principles in the analysis of current Canadian and foreign macroeconomic policies.

My interest in economics happened almost by accident. I had initially intended to major in another program at SFU, and ECON 103 was one of the required courses for this program. That course sparked my curiosity for economics and ultimately shifted my education path, culminating into a five year journey that would lead me to switching majors and enrolling in the Honours program. After I complete my undergraduate degree, I hope to explore the issues of poverty and inequality, public policy, and labour outcomes of marginalized groups in graduate school. When I am not studying or in class, I serve as the President of the Economics Student Society (ESS), where we aim to connect SFU Economics students with each other as well as with professionals and alumni. In my spare time I enjoy painting, experimenting in the kitchen, and falling off my skateboard.

Jordan Hutchings is a recent honors economics graduate from SFU. He was recruited from Ontario to come play golf on the varsity men’s golf team by the late John Buchanan in 2014. It wasn’t until after taking the Principals of Microeconomics that Jordan learned he had a deep interest in studying economics. Alongside playing on the SFU golf team, Jordan’s main focuses included working as a research assistant for Professor Hendrik Wolff and writing his honours thesis that quantified the impact Yelp ratings have on restaurants. Jordan is currently working at the Bank of Canada within the Canadian Economic Analysis division, and he will be pursuing his M.A. at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia this fall. His research interests include applied microeconomics, econometrics and environmental economics. Jordan would like to thank his professors, especially his thesis supervisor Professor Shih En Lu, for their constant support throughout his undergraduate experience.

“I first discovered my love of economics in high school. We learned about supply and demand, and it really helped to explain things on the news for me.”

After finishing high school in Italy, honours student Hamza Abdelrahman spent time volunteering in senior homes to help the elderly stay connected with current events. He also volunteered with leadership camps that taught young students about economics.

Abdelrahman's goal is to become prime minister of his home country of Jordan. An economics background, he feels, will provide a solid foundation for a career in politics. Other organizations that he would like to work for include the Bank of Canada, the Central Bank of Jordan, and the Royal Court Offices of Jordan.