Crystal Huang, MA’21, MAPSS Economics

Crystal Huang (MA’21) always knew she wanted to pursue an advanced degree in social science. “The UChicago MAPSS program caught my attention due to the program’s design and flexible curriculum,” she says. “I felt this is the place where I would learn cutting-edge research methods in economics and benefit from the intellectually stimulating experience.”

During the program, she greatly appreciated the one-on-one work with a preceptor and faculty member on a thesis. She found the thesis a great opportunity to learn about empirical research with rigor, whether a student is looking towards academia or industry. Even though her program moved entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she still was able to engage in weekly meetings with advisors and other students as she worked on her thesis. “The thesis project is on the top of the regular coursework, so it could be a little stressful. However, regular guidance from my adviser, preceptor, and discussions with my classmates, really helped me undertake the project,” she says. 

Now a senior analyst at an economics consulting firm, Compass Lexicon, Crystal believes joining MAPSS was one of the best decisions she has made throughout her academic career. “Our work is mostly related to economics and econometrics analysis for some antitrust and competition-related mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and damages cases,” she says, noting she uses economics and data science skills learned in MAPSS every day. “The flexibility of choosing courses allowed me to take some mathematically heavy economics classes, but it prepared me well for [my] current role,” she says. “The qualitative research I learned and the interdisciplinary application of cutting-edge research methods in different social science areas, not just economics, has been very useful.”

MAPSS was “a very memorable experience” she says, and “one of the best decisions I made throughout my academic career.”