I can't believe I'm writing so late, but better now than never. My summer internship was a huge success. I learned so much boss and my co workers - I have nothing but praise the company. I have to say that it was hard work, but very rewarding.
I am in Clemson again for last Fall semester. I am terribly sad as it is my beloved school. I am excited too, because I love econometrics (the real test of economic love). The first test went so/so but that did not dampen my excitement. Think of all the cool things I can do with econometrics! I can test so many things, and I can only get better at econometrics and calculus. I'm grateful for my teachers that have worked with me. I am also applying to my dream job in Japan. I would be teaching English, but I must say that I would be excellent at this job. I love working with students, and teaching comes naturally to me - hire me. This blog is obviously casual and rough, but I like it.
I'll get back sooner this time!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
The first CEDC post
10-27-13
So we were told to keep a rough diary of our work at CEDC thus far. I'm really bad at keeping these things going, but I know it is valuable, so I welcome the enforcement. So here goes an unedited babble of things.
Reflection:
The purpose of this page is to keep tabs on my work thus far. I think it will be good for reflection and thoughts. I had a really late start with this group, and I'm the only economist here. I'm earnest, intimidate and curious about my position here. I like working on solutions even though I don't have the technical skills that the engineers do. I guess I really want to help find the best opportunities for the people the people of Cange, Haiti. I can't make anything for them, but for now I can fill the engineers on some of the possible elementary unintended costs and benefits. I just don't have the training like the economists at the large NGOs. Right now I'm more like a free lance student that quotes text books and articles. To be honest, most of my work might seem disparaging at time, but that often what happens when working within a classically trained economic mindset. My favorite description of economists is that we are not doctors that can find a cure, but we are more like waiters that can describe the tastes and flavors between different food orders.
What I have done so far:
Anyways, so far I have been more concerned with making sure my group's project is safe. The biggest problems in the Market Place group is property rights. This is a big issue right now. I guess you can say that I have been studying the menu, and a lack of property rights can greatly jeopardize intended plans. My teachers are concerned too, but I think we will have to talk about that later. I think Dr. Fleck might have more insight than me. You can see how complicated things can become. I am not worried about the items for sale right now, because I think the Haitians know what is marketable for right now. I am excited about adding into the new agriculture technology and education into the area. From what I understand, both of those things should bring more growth to the area. It is not turf, but I'm curious about the effect of the wage rate we will pay the locals. Maybe I can to Dr. Fleck about these things.
What to do:
I need to document the articles I used thus far, and see if I can get my hands on some information about wages. I just want to make sure we are doing good work in Cange.
Hey, what do you know! It is my first blog post and I've come up with new ideas to analyze! Success!
11/8/2013
Reflection:
This week has been awful. I had midterms and piles of work as I try to secure my future with job applications. Leaping into adulthood is not as glamorous as one might think. I was able to talk to fleck and he told me that wages are a huge issue with NGOs. Apparently going above the market price can cause trouble. We also talked about the importance of institutions as opposed to strictly property rights. I am fascinated although I still don't know what I can do or say that will make this any better. More research. I like CEDC - I feel that my favorite part is providing clarifying information. Maybe I should be an econometrician or statistician?
What I've done:
I'm in charge of putting the proposal together. This is a first for me, but I'm determined to do a great job at this. I finally have something to do that is directly pertaining to the issue. I posted these to the group drop box. I also did my meandering with the wages. We found that the productivity is *seemingly* poor. There could be many reasons for this, but if our numbers are right then our project is going to be comparatively expensive.
What to do:
Update my hours and ask about the specifics of the proposal. I guess I should ask about the specifics of the wages and productivity to the econ teachers. My gosh there is so much for an economist to do - I need more training. Good thing I'm getting a feel for this.
So we were told to keep a rough diary of our work at CEDC thus far. I'm really bad at keeping these things going, but I know it is valuable, so I welcome the enforcement. So here goes an unedited babble of things.
Reflection:
The purpose of this page is to keep tabs on my work thus far. I think it will be good for reflection and thoughts. I had a really late start with this group, and I'm the only economist here. I'm earnest, intimidate and curious about my position here. I like working on solutions even though I don't have the technical skills that the engineers do. I guess I really want to help find the best opportunities for the people the people of Cange, Haiti. I can't make anything for them, but for now I can fill the engineers on some of the possible elementary unintended costs and benefits. I just don't have the training like the economists at the large NGOs. Right now I'm more like a free lance student that quotes text books and articles. To be honest, most of my work might seem disparaging at time, but that often what happens when working within a classically trained economic mindset. My favorite description of economists is that we are not doctors that can find a cure, but we are more like waiters that can describe the tastes and flavors between different food orders.
What I have done so far:
Anyways, so far I have been more concerned with making sure my group's project is safe. The biggest problems in the Market Place group is property rights. This is a big issue right now. I guess you can say that I have been studying the menu, and a lack of property rights can greatly jeopardize intended plans. My teachers are concerned too, but I think we will have to talk about that later. I think Dr. Fleck might have more insight than me. You can see how complicated things can become. I am not worried about the items for sale right now, because I think the Haitians know what is marketable for right now. I am excited about adding into the new agriculture technology and education into the area. From what I understand, both of those things should bring more growth to the area. It is not turf, but I'm curious about the effect of the wage rate we will pay the locals. Maybe I can to Dr. Fleck about these things.
What to do:
I need to document the articles I used thus far, and see if I can get my hands on some information about wages. I just want to make sure we are doing good work in Cange.
Hey, what do you know! It is my first blog post and I've come up with new ideas to analyze! Success!
11/8/2013
Reflection:
This week has been awful. I had midterms and piles of work as I try to secure my future with job applications. Leaping into adulthood is not as glamorous as one might think. I was able to talk to fleck and he told me that wages are a huge issue with NGOs. Apparently going above the market price can cause trouble. We also talked about the importance of institutions as opposed to strictly property rights. I am fascinated although I still don't know what I can do or say that will make this any better. More research. I like CEDC - I feel that my favorite part is providing clarifying information. Maybe I should be an econometrician or statistician?
What I've done:
I'm in charge of putting the proposal together. This is a first for me, but I'm determined to do a great job at this. I finally have something to do that is directly pertaining to the issue. I posted these to the group drop box. I also did my meandering with the wages. We found that the productivity is *seemingly* poor. There could be many reasons for this, but if our numbers are right then our project is going to be comparatively expensive.
What to do:
Update my hours and ask about the specifics of the proposal. I guess I should ask about the specifics of the wages and productivity to the econ teachers. My gosh there is so much for an economist to do - I need more training. Good thing I'm getting a feel for this.
Monday, May 27, 2013
New Job
My job is great. I get to work with a perfectly wonderful people that love their jobs. It is good to know that outstanding people are working hard for their customers. This has been my best job experience thus far in my career.
That being said - I've learned a very important lesson.
1. Work hard and do a good work. The people I work with are passionate. The other inters are great people too. It goes without much hesitation that these people could be all types of things, but they are not - they are the poster children of ethics and good relations. They work hard in part because it reflect on themselves and the company, but it seems to be mostly derived from their pride and love for a beautiful end product.
2. Do something that you are passionate about. Working is a huge time commitment. Knowing that you can wake up to do work in something you love is essential for happiness. I'm discovering many of these aspects in my internship.
That being said - I've learned a very important lesson.
1. Work hard and do a good work. The people I work with are passionate. The other inters are great people too. It goes without much hesitation that these people could be all types of things, but they are not - they are the poster children of ethics and good relations. They work hard in part because it reflect on themselves and the company, but it seems to be mostly derived from their pride and love for a beautiful end product.
2. Do something that you are passionate about. Working is a huge time commitment. Knowing that you can wake up to do work in something you love is essential for happiness. I'm discovering many of these aspects in my internship.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Sudden Changes
This is not really how I wanted to introduce myself, but exciting developments have happened in the last two weeks.
Two weeks ago I was did not have a job nor internship. I was kicking myself for the lack of drive that I did not give in many aspects of my life. I was bothered by the sense of a meaningless summer spent at home, but then I received an offer to work at Clemson University as a camp counselor. I liked the idea of spending the summer being close to some of my college friends, working on my online class and working with young mathematicians, engineers and scientists. Nevertheless, I was still sad that I was not going to get any field experience, but I was planning to study econometrics and some calculus with my free time.
One week ago, I was attending graduation for my cherished roommates, Bettina and Meredith, while waiting in anticipation for my employment with Clemson University. My summer looked too comfortable for comfort. After graduation I was walking to sign my summer over when I received a call from an internship up North. The lady from HR wanted me to interview the following week for a position. I was stunned! My summer now had one of many plot twists.
I just had my interview, and I am proud to say that I will be an intern in the financial sector in the Washington DC area this summer. I think that destroys my summer list and the concept for this blog, but we will rehash the entire blog. :) Besos!
Two weeks ago I was did not have a job nor internship. I was kicking myself for the lack of drive that I did not give in many aspects of my life. I was bothered by the sense of a meaningless summer spent at home, but then I received an offer to work at Clemson University as a camp counselor. I liked the idea of spending the summer being close to some of my college friends, working on my online class and working with young mathematicians, engineers and scientists. Nevertheless, I was still sad that I was not going to get any field experience, but I was planning to study econometrics and some calculus with my free time.
One week ago, I was attending graduation for my cherished roommates, Bettina and Meredith, while waiting in anticipation for my employment with Clemson University. My summer looked too comfortable for comfort. After graduation I was walking to sign my summer over when I received a call from an internship up North. The lady from HR wanted me to interview the following week for a position. I was stunned! My summer now had one of many plot twists.
I just had my interview, and I am proud to say that I will be an intern in the financial sector in the Washington DC area this summer. I think that destroys my summer list and the concept for this blog, but we will rehash the entire blog. :) Besos!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Il fiore
Bucket List for Summer 2013
My summer has not started yet, but I feel that my goals needed to be placed here. This is my uncut list of ideas:
- Maintain a running schedule
- Read one book a week
- Volunteer at a charity
- Obtain Duel citizenship
- Study for GRE
- Shadow at a bank or other professional organization
- Expand on my knowledge of etiquette
- Write a handmade letter to each of my graduate friends
- Review CDs for WSBF- FM Clemson
- Fix my car's radio before going to Philly
- Keep a Blog
- Learn to play "You Are the Moon" and memorize the lyrics to "Hurricane" by the Hush Sound
- Take a road trip to Atlanta, Georgia or PCB, Florida
- Go sailing
- Make a dress
- Work on Italian and Spanish
- Learn Iris's monologue
- Improve my swing dancing skills
- Learn more photography and frame posters
- Learn more about cooking
- Practice art: graphics and make another mosaic (buy glass cutter)
- Start Arrested Development and a the Game of Thrones
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)