Admission Essay.
Economic problems are an all-round and integral part of our everyday activities. While many life issues, such as unemployment, global competition in world market, debates about free trade agreements, the benefits of alternative pollution control policies, etc are considered to be fundamentally economic in their nature, many other political, social and environmental problems have significant economic factors and consequences. It proves that studying economics is important in order to understand the world in which we function, interact and develop as humans and parts of the global society as well as be better equipped for a beneficial participation in the global economy of modern world. Moreover, rich academic background in economics studies gives a better insight of the methods, objectives and limitations of local and worldwide economic policies.
Consequently, economic analysis is no longer limited to the circle of academicians and a small amount of highly-trained PhD-specialists. Instead, it now requires more people possessing developed skills in analyzing, processing and interpreting economic data in order to form effective decisions in the sphere of global markets and policy. It involves such a wide range of disciplines as health care, fiscal policy, economics of defense and law, financial and real risk and aid to the environment. The last poses the biggest interest to me, because it is extremely important in the perspective of human-induced climate change. Environmental economics has been useful in such issues as biodiversity, ecosystem loss, air pollution, the connection between sustainable economic development and the environment. I have always believed that it is impossible to appear truly worried about a certain issue without conducting due research and having at least a slight informational background on the given subject. The global warming and various climate changes that our planet is currently undergoing could not leave me neutral, because I consider myself an active member of both local and global society. Moreover, I am also determined to prevent my children and further descendants from experiencing environmental problems which can directly influence their well-being and life expectancy. Also, being well-prepared for identifying solutions to nowadays environmental issues and preventing some potential environmental challenges is a good way to contribute to the society. I am sure that this is what every self-respected, responsible and sensible human is seeking as one of the main purposes of their academic and career activity. My background in quantitative analysis skills gained in undergraduate studies will enable me to apply quantitative methods to the appraisal, valuation and initial analysis of a wide scope of environmental policies and problems. From the angle of environmental economics, the topic in economics I am interested in, my quantitative analysis background will enable me to successfully address and resolve the problems of resource depletion and play a crucial role in breaking through the financial barriers, which can in the long run prevent countries from various environmental issues.
I am graduating from University of California, San Diego in Economics this June. My educational background is lightened with acquired knowledge and conducted researches on many important topics including economic growth, development, health care, energy, tax system, and extensive body of analysis addressing ever-present economic and social issues. The subject of economics is often given a definition as the study of the way we use our limited resources in order to satisfy our unlimited material needs and wants. My academic quantitative analysis background has enabled me to understand how a modern economy functions at both macro and micro levels, to acquire advanced data analysis and computational skills and undertake and interpret high-level analysis for private sector and government firms and agencies.
Some of the reasons of my keen desire to obtain Master of Science in Applied Economics are to gain a stronger academic foundation to successfully use economics to analyze and solve pressing issues and be more concerned with the material well-being of the world society. With Applied Economics being a flexible major, I will be free to select optional subjects which will complement and strengthen my Applied Economics major and further develop my analytical skills acquired during undergraduate studies. For example, since I am interested in environmental and resource economics, I will have the opportunity to minor in Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM) or Sustainability Studies. This will expand my areas of expertise and upgrade my technical and analytical skills. I am certain that such strong academic background will grant me promising career opportunities. I got acquainted with different possible career destinations for graduates in Applied Economics, including professional environmental economists in local and international government organizations, NGOs, industry, economic consultants and any other aspect of environmental and resource economics.
