What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
The aspects I like about my specialisation mainly arises from the small class size, which gives the opportunity to ask and discuss questions directly. Also, the combination of addressing current economic issues and developing analytical skills attracts me.
In relation to my Bachelor's in Business Economics, this Master's specifically challenges me in my analytical skills. Overall, in the Bachelor's, the focus lies on a more theoretical base whereas in the Master’s discussing, presenting and analysing academic papers is the final learning objective.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class (for example the relationship between students and with the teachers/researchers)?
I would describe the atmosphere in class as open and interactive. Due to the small class size, the opportunity of asking questions directly to the teachers arises and I’ve experienced they are really eager to help. Moreover, you get to work together with fellow students in tutorial sessions more often and intensively, which then improves the atmosphere in class even more.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
For me, the most challenging part in this Master's programme relates to both the econometrical skills required for some courses as well as the combination of the different course study loads during certain periods. Therefore, time management is even more crucial than it already was in the Bachelor’s programme.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
During my Bachelor's I already gained some possible career experiences. Therefore, I decided to fully focus on my Master's and currently I am writing the Master's thesis. The main topic of my thesis is about the effect of technological and human capital on unemployment resistance across different EU-regions, in which a specification curve analysis is used in order to differentiate the degrees of freedom to analyse possible different results with earlier studies that examined these effects.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree? What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?
I think it is important that there are people with such a degree for the main reason that the programme prepares you in being a well-informed, yet critical economist with great analytical skills. Regarding future career purposes these skills are crucial in all fields, whether this is in economics or not.
What is important to know, is that the Master’s programme does not prepare you for a specific job, but rather prepares you with, e.g., the analytical skills as mentioned above. Once obtained my Master’s degree, I am eager to develop myself further into the financial field with possibilities to work in any role in for instance mergers and acquisitions, accounting, finance and consultancy.