Student Ambassador
2024-2025 Student Ambassador
Belk College Graduate Student Ambassadors enjoy interacting with potential new students — like you!— and can help answer questions about the program.
Please reach out directly to the Ambassador to learn more about what it’s like being a full-time M.S. in Economics student.
Meet Tanner Hardy
“Charlotte is a major financial center, especially in the south. The network and connections that UNC Charlotte offers in this regard is undoubtedly one of the biggest benefits of the program, and something that a lot of other programs can’t easily match.”
- Program (Full-Time, Part-Time): Full-Time
- Concentration/Area of Emphasis: Quantitative Financial Economics
- Anticipated Graduation: December 2024
- Previous Institutions and Degrees: Middle Tennessee State University, double major in Economics and Mathematics
- Favorite Place in Charlotte: Anywhere I can catch good live music
- Hometown: Nashville, TN
- Dream Job: Any job where I can do some research and solve problems, but preferably some sort of macroeconomic researcher
- What degree are you pursuing and why? I’m pursuing the Quantitative Financial Economics concentration in the M.S. in Economics program specifically to further expand the data skills I picked up in my undergrad. I felt that my math background is solid but lacking in terms of practical applications. I feel that my program has expanded my understanding of a variety of topics, but especially my understanding of the math behind forecasting macroeconomic variables. This is an extremely valuable skill in the job market, and something that most undergraduate economics programs don’t cover in the depth needed.
- What has been the best part of your academic experience so far? My peers and professors. One of the best parts of being in a masters program is being in a cohort with so many talented students. I love seeing the research that they’re all doing, and truly believe I’m part of a strong cohort that will go on to do great things in their careers later on. I also have had a great time with all of my classes and professors. One of the best things of my program is the unique industry experience that a lot of my professors have had that they can then bring into the classroom. It feel like it grounds a lot of the theory in reality. Furthermore, anytime I have needed help with anything, they have all been open to helping me out and supporting me at any point.
Advice from our ambassador
M.S. in Economics Student Ambassador Tanner Hardy ’24 sat down with Clinical Assistant Professor Sebastian Wai to discuss the positives of pursuing a graduate degree in Economics.