Michael Arjona, B.A. 2001
Assistant Head of School for Academics & Head of Upper School, The Walker School – Marietta GA
2001 Major: Economics
How has being an Economics graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?
"I took a different path by starting out as a high school economics teacher, and then transitioning into independent school administration. Being an economics graduate from Duke gave me the analytical skill to succeed in a field outside of economics, and being an undergrad TA in the department gave me the exposure to teaching that planted the seed for my future career."
What advice would you give students in Duke's Economics programs?
"When I graduated (maybe it is different now), it seemed as if the majority of economics graduates were being recruited into a small number of fields (investment banking, consulting, etc). I would really advise economics graduates to think on a bigger scale about the impact they can have after they graduate and about using the skills they gain in economics classes to engage in fields that are not traditionally economics-related."
