Author Archives: sadler

Apply now for the new Cape Town, South Africa summer program!

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Info Session: Summer Abroad at the University of Cape Town
Monday, December 11, 2017, 4:00 PM
Integrative Learning Center (ILC), 3rd Fl Communication Hub

For thousands less than the cost of being on campus for a semester (click here for a detailed budget), the UMass College of Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) and the International Programs Officeare pleased to announce a new study abroad opportunity at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa. This seven-week program will earn you a semester’s worth of UMass credits (13-15) in disciplines such as Political Science, History, Economics, and Sociology. Courses will be taught by both UMass and UCT professors and you’ll be living and studying alongside students from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific in this immersive experience.

During the intersession between Summer Session 1 and Summer Session 2, students will also get a chance to travel throughout South Africa for 7 days, embarking on a 4-day Garden Route tour (one of South Africa’s most popular destinations), ending with 3 days of university visits and lectures in Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape, in order to experience, compare and contrast South Africa’s Eastern and Western Capes.

Application deadline is January 1, 2018. Click here for more info and to start your application!

Go big or go home: Vanderbilt Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics

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Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, Tennessee is now accepting applications for its Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics, Fall 2018 cohort.  Economics undergraduate majors with a high degree of competence in mathematics are encouraged to apply.

The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is unique. It combines analytical training in economic theory and methodology with the study of law. While one can separately earn a J.D. and a Ph.D. in economics at many other universities, our program is distinctive in that training in economics is fully integrated with training in law. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Ph.D. in Law and Economics and a J.D.

Preparing for the program requires thought and planning. First, the study of economics at the Ph.D. level requires a high level of competence in mathematics. Admitted students usually major in economics or mathematics. In addition to completing one year of undergraduate level calculus, students should pursue additional coursework in mathematics and economics.

Click here to see Requirements for Admission or to begin your application. 

FAQ: The class I wanted is full.  What do I do now?!

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Sometimes you have everything in your shopping cart, you’re ready to finalize your schedule, but classes fill before you can click [Finish enrolling].  Do not despair, dear students, because seats may open up before the first day of class!  Here are some tips on how you may be able to get into the class without thoroughly annoying the instructor:
  • Do NOT email the instructor asking them to put you into the class.  Seriously, resist that urge. You’ll just irritate people.  We are so not kidding about this.
  • Check SPIRE EVERY DAY from now until the first week of the semester.  Keep the classes you want in your shopping cart and watch for the blue square to change into a green dot.  People often switch classes around after initial enrollment and a seat may open.  If it does, jump on it!
  • If you tried to enroll and SPIRE wouldn’t let you, but you are sure you should be eligible to enroll, don’t email the instructor; email Lori Sadler or Leah Dodson.  (But ONLY for Econ classes.  We cannot enroll you in anything else.)
  • If the first week of class comes and you still haven’t been able to get into the class, GO TO THE FIRST CLASS AND DECLARE YOUR DESIRE TO GET INTO THE CLASS.  Showing the instructor that you are serious about getting into the class is a great way to get first dibs on open seats if someone drops or doesn’t show up for the first two classes.  The instructor may have a signup sheet or they may ask you to fill out a consent form, but either way, you have a much better shot at getting into the class than if you just sent an email.
  • Have a backup class ready in case you still cannot get into the class.  If you’re not graduating this semester, you may have the opportunity to take the class in a future semester.

 

Want to try on a career to see if it fits? Try job shadowing!

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The SBS Shadows program provides one-day job shadowing experiences that give students the opportunity to spend time with alumni or other hosts in their place of work. Through observation and conversation, students will learn more about a profession, receive career-related advice, and see first-hand how their experience in the UMass Amherst College of Social & Behavioral Sciences can prepare them for life after college.

Derek Perrucci '17 and Justin Edelman '94 at RWJ Barnabas

The SBS Shadows program is offered annually during winter break.Questions? Contact Carol Sharick, Director of Career & Professional Development for Undergraduates.

Winter Break Program Dates

One day during December 26, 2017 – January 19, 2018

Host Registration Period: September 15 – November 15, 2017

Student Registration Period: November 15 – November 30, 2017
Jenna DelVechio’18 (Communication) and Megan Siwek ’18 (Legal Studies & and Political Science) with CT Attorney General George Jepsen

For more information, visit the SBS Shadows web page!

 

Oxford Summer Program Info Session

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Applications are now open for the 2018 UMass Oxford Summer Seminar!

Info Session:
Wednesday, November 29th
4:00 PM
South College E370
(You are NOT required to attend an info session to apply.)

The Summer Seminar is a 6-week program of study at Trinity College (part of Oxford University) in Oxford, England. Started in 1966, it is the one of the longest running study abroad programs in Oxford. Over the course of 6 weeks, students take 2.5 classes for a total of 10 credits. It’s a great value for your money, and many who have attended report that the seminar has helped them graduate on-time or early.

All credits come in as UMass Amherst credits and thus can be used very easily to satisfy your requirements. Economics students who attend the program can satisfy an Econ upper-level elective by taking a course on the Economics of Brexit, and can take other courses in Political Science, Marketing, English, and History.

Submit your application by February 15, 2018 to be considered for Seminar scholarships. Applications close on March 1, 2018. For more info, check out the Oxford Summer Seminar website!

Competitive Internship Opportunity at Southwest Airlines

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If you are a junior or senior Economics major with strong analytical and computer skills, Southwest Airlines has a great summer internship opportunity for you!

Application deadline: 11/17/2017
Internship dates: Summer 2018: May 21-Aug 10, 2018 (12 week program)
Apply to: Revenue Management Intern for one of the following internship opportunities:

  • Market Pricing Strategy Analyst
  • Market Strategy Analyst (Inventory/Yield Management)
  • Operations Research Performance and Strategy intern positions

The Revenue Management department is looking for juniors and seniors who are motivated and passionate about U.S. airline commercial business, Yield (inventory) management, pricing, and analytics to participate in this internship. This exciting Internship will consist of training at Southwest Airlines Co. headquarters, in the Revenue Management department (Dallas, TX location only). This internship is an opportunity for participants to learn to conduct market research and analysis, as well as make presentations on the airline’s competitive position and micro-market revenue performances. The internship has individual tracks that stretch across three unique teams (job functions): Market Pricing Strategy, Operations Research Performance and Strategy, and Market Strategy Yield (also known as Yield Management).

Market Pricing Strategy

The Market Pricing Strategy team is responsible for determining and filing all the price-points for all possible itineraries.  Market Pricing Strategy is one of the sub-teams within the pricing function, which also include the Global Pricing team, Tactical Pricing team, and the Tariff Rules team. During the course of the internship participants may do the following types of projects: a market pricing restructure project, present at monthly market reviews in front of the Senior Revenue Management leadership team, actively participate in market pricing performance reviews, and make pricing recommendations to Revenue Management senior leadership. Tools commonly used are: Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Access; Teradata SQL; MIDT; Diio Mi; and Air Price

Operations Research Performance and Strategy

The Operations Research Performance and Strategy team is responsible for analyzing and managing data inputs for the Revenue Management primary demand forecasting tool (PROS; Passenger Revenue Optimization System). During the course of the internship, participants will work on both challenging and complex quantitative projects that allow Southwest Airlines to improve its demand forecast and optimization accuracy. Tools commonly used are: Microsoft Excel (VBA), PowerPoint, and Access; Teradata SQL; Alteryx; Tableau; PROS (Passenger Revenue Optimization System); and R

Market Strategy Analyst (Yield Management)

The Market Strategy Analyst (Yield Management) team forecasts the demand for passenger bookings and determines the number of seats available for sell at each price point, offered to customers. During the course of the internship participants will conduct market research and market review projects and either take actions, make recommendations, or present findings to Revenue Management Senior leadership. Participants may be assigned additional ad hoc projects. Tools commonly used are: Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; PROS; Tableau; Alteryx; Diio Mi; and Air Price

These internships are very competitive, as they will engage interns in revenue and market management responsibilities, as well as the opportunity to learn complex revenue enhancing strategies and tactics on actual Southwest Airlines competitive markets. Select interns will manage live markets in an effort to enhance revenue. Students are welcome to email a copy of their resume (curtis.williams@wnco.com), along with which internship position they would like to express interest. Candidates will need to apply at Revenue Management Intern to be considered.  The minimum grade in college to be considered is the junior level. Please review the intern job posting for additional information about the Internship (duties, responsibilities, qualifications, pay, time commitment, location, education requirements, etc.). In addition, see the attached brochure to learn more about the internship program, and other unique opportunities at Southwest Airlines Co.

 

 

Environmental Advocacy Training in Amherst

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The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) is offering a one-day Environmental Fellows Training in Amherst to anyone interested in working toward a better environmental tomorrow.

Sunday, November 12
10:00 am-4:00 pm
UMass Amherst
Holdsworth Hall Room 211
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
***Register now!***

ELM is once again offering its Environmental Fellows Training (EFP) for college students and high school seniors. This is an exciting leadership and career development opportunity for students interested in environmental advocacy. Our one day training will help participants hone skills in campus organizing, public policy research, communications, and environmental advocacy. Participation in this program will teach students to serve as effective advocates for environment.

Program Elements

  • Getting Acquainted: Introduction to ELM’s work and our statewide environmental policy agenda
  • Campus Organizing: How to engage peers on your campus to support environmental causes
  • Advocacy: How to be an effective advocate in your community and on Beacon Hill
  • Public Policy Research: How to do effectively public policy research. Information is power!
  • Political and Advocacy Communications: How to use traditional and social media for advocacy work

Fellows who complete the program will be invited to participate in other ELM advocacy efforts in communities across the state and at the Massachusetts State House. They will also receive campus advocacy organizing materials if they want to do advocacy work on their own campuses.

All participants who complete the training will receive an
Environmental Fellows Training (EFP) certificate from the
Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund!

MS in Survey Methodology Info Session

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Dr. Stephanie Eckman, (UMass ’98, MS Econ), will be holding a drop-in information session on the MS in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 2:30-4 PM in Arnold House, room 9. Students are encouraged to drop by at any time during these drop-in hours.

Survey Methodology is the study of how to collect and analyze survey data, and generally to think more critically about where data come from. According to Dr. Eckman, graduates from this program have no trouble finding jobs at research institutes, the federal statistical system, or Silicon Valley firms.

The MS in Survey Methodology is offered through the Joint Program for Statistical Methodology (JPSM), which is a consortium of the University of Maryland, University of Michigan, and Westat. More information about the program can be found on the JPSM website.

Spring 2018 Enrollment Survival Guide

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Spring 2018 classes are now visible in SPIRE, but the information you see right now may not be final, so do NOT fill your shopping cart until a day or two before your enrollment date. Here are some other helpful tips to keep you informed and help you through the enrollment process:

  • Your SPIRE enrollment date should now be visible in the ‘Enrollment Dates’ box in the lower right of your student center.  You must click the ‘details’ link to find out what time you will be able to enroll on that date. Thousands of other people will also be enrolling in classes, so you should enroll as soon as possible after that time so that you won’t miss out on any important classes.
  • Your enrollment date and time are assigned by the Registrar’s office, based on your cumulative credits and expected graduation term. You may not be enrolling at the same time as your friends, so be sure to put your enrollment date and time in your calendar so you don’t miss out.  Also, please do not contact your advisor to ask why you have been assigned a specific date or time, as we have NO control over this.
  • If you have not been assigned an enrollment date and time for Spring 2018, go to the Registrar’s office in 213 Whitmore to find out what you should do.  Email or phone may also work, but they will take longer.
  • You are NOT required to meet with an Economics advisor before you enroll UNLESS you have received an email from your advisor instructing you to make an appointment.
  • If you see the words ‘Prevents enrollment’ in the ‘Holds’ box on the right side of your student center, you had better click the ‘details’ link and find out which office (bursar, Dean of Students, Academic Dean, UHS, etc.) put the hold on and what you have to do to get the hold removed. IMPORTANT NOTE: Your advisor can only remove holds that say you must meet with an advisor; we cannot remove holds placed by anyone else.
  • If you plan to attend UMass as a full-time student next semester, you must enroll in at least 12 credits to ensure that the university does not drop you to part-time.  If this happens, you will have to submit a request to change your status back to full-time and it could negatively impact your financial aid or housing.
  • If you are trying to get into an Economics class, you have checked the restrictions on the course page, and you are certain you should be eligible to enroll, but SPIRE will not allow you to enroll, email your PRIMARY advisor with a description of the situation and copy and paste the error message that SPIRE gave you into the email. (Your primary major is listed in the advisor box in the bottom-right corner of your student center.)  Please note that if you have not read the course restrictions and we find that you are not eligible to enroll, you should be prepared for a somewhat snarky response.
  • If you are trying to get into a class that is not in the Economics department, you must contact the department that offers that class. Your Economics advisor cannot help you with that. And before you contact that other department, you had better be sure to read the restrictions to find out if you are eligible to enroll.  If not, you may just want to check again in a couple of weeks to see if they have opened the course to other majors.
  • If you decide to change your schedule after you have enrolled, remember: SWAP, DON’T DROP. Use the Swap tab to change lectures or seminars, and use your Edit tab to change discussion sections within the same class.

Nevertheless, Co-op Month Persists

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Can you believe October is almost over?  Me neither. Nevertheless, October persists, SO IT IS STILL CO-OP MONTH! And, as co-op month comes to a close, I encourage each and every one of you to get out there and be the change you want to see in the world: join a co-op, support a co-op, or start a co-op. Work shoulder-to shoulder with others who share your vision for positive change. Cooperatively, we can overcome the tribulations coming our way from seemingly every direction and push forward into a brighter tomorrow.

Here are some links to help you get started, inspire you, and/or, just make you feel better about the world: