Name: Chelsea Pardini
Tribe: Tlingit
Hometown: Nevada City, CA
Degree received from WSU: Master’s of Science in Applied Economics
Why did you choose WSU? I chose WSU in part for the atmosphere of collaboration and community in the School of Economic Sciences (SES), and also for the quality of the research and education.
What did you enjoy most about being a WSU student? I am grateful that I can receive an enriching education and really experience a deep sense of belonging in the WSU community.
What activities/programs were you involved with while at WSU? I have not yet had the opportunity to get involved in anything outside of working for this accelerated M.S. degree, but I look forward to becoming involved in the near future.
What was your biggest challenge to achieving your education and how did you overcome it? Financial difficulties can seem truly insurmountable to many students, and I was not an exception. When I was obtaining my undergraduate degree, I took out loans and worked as a tutor for math and economics and as a research assistant. At WSU I was provided the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant for the WSU Graduate School and am now working as a teaching assistant in SES.
What are your future plans? I will continue to work towards completing my Ph.D. in Economics here at WSU and see where my research interests and life take me.
What advice would you give a freshman? Breathe deeply and remember that every moment is the one you get to choose life and love.