Meet Lesly and learn about her experiences at CSULB

Meet Lesly Carrillo

What is your year in school?

I am in my first semester of the Masters of Arts in Economics program at CSULB.

What caused you to study economics?

In high school, I wanted to study Business. I almost became a Business major and attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, but I wasn’t too certain about this decision. So, I attended a community college and took some economics classes. I then became way more interested and fascinated with economics because it not only challenged me but it also sparked an interest in me. It is a difficult subject and really made me think of how the world worked.

Why did you decide to attend undergraduate and Graduate School at CSULB?

Applying as an undergrad, I wanted to attend a school in Southern California and this school was perfect because I was able to study Economics and live in Southern California. Applying as a graduate student, I wanted to use the resources that the economics department had. I graduated in 3 semesters for my undergrad so I felt like I can do so much more in CSULB.  I really enjoyed the school, environment, being around my peers; so I felt that I would really enjoy attending CSULB for graduate school for 3 more semesters.

What has been your favorite class you have taken at CSULB and why?

My favorite classes are Developmental Economics with Professor Grobar and Econometrics with Professor Steimetz. Both professors taught their classes in a way where I was engaged and eager to come to the next class period. Although they are difficult, I found myself really enjoying these subjects.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to hopefully work at a place where both my interests in economics and festivals can be represented.

What advice do you have for students considering a master’s in economics at CSULB?

My advice to students is to take as many math courses as you can, it will help you understand certain subjects. Also, I recommend attending the research seminar series that are held on Fridays. As an undergrad, I enjoyed attending these. If you enjoy watching others present their research and spark your interest in presenting your own future research then that is a great indicator for you to continue on to your master’s program.