One morning over breakfast, my soulmate asked me a question that caught me off guard: “What does being an economist mean to you?”
At that moment, I instinctively thought of the standard response any economist would give: “We love data, and through it, we analyze, model, and predict many of the things we observe.” And while that is true, her question lingered in my mind, prompting a deeper reflection on what being an economist truly means to me.
For me, becoming an economist was a complete 360-degree turn—one that forced me out of my comfort zone. At the time, it felt like a crazy decision, and I wasn’t entirely convinced. I kept asking myself, “Is it really worth giving up my dream of being a professional athlete—a national team member for more than 15 years of my life—just to become an economist?” Answering that question turned into an adventure in itself, one that completely transformed my life. I went from being a high-performance athlete to becoming a high-performance student (because, let’s be honest, that’s what being an economics student feels like).
There were frustrating days, exhausting days—some that even made me sick—but in the end, it was the best decision I could have made.
Studying economics often feels like being on a battlefield. Knowledge is the most valuable currency—the more you have, the more you’re valued, and the better your chances of survival. The competition can be ruthless. But if there’s one lesson karate taught me, it’s this: patience, humility, and gratitude for the knowledge you receive are among the most powerful weapons you can have. Throughout my career, I have had to embrace the maturity to say, “I don’t know, but I want to learn.” And that mindset has opened doors I never imagined.
Being an economist isn’t just about building mathematical models or ensuring estimators are unbiased, efficient, and consistent. To me, being an economist means playing as a child in a world designed for adults. Because being a child allows me to stay curious (to ask bold questions and form hypotheses), creative (to design economic and econometric models), and, most importantly, eager to learn—helping me analyze real and exciting problems with fresh eyes.
So here’s to all of us who continue to explore, to question, and to learn—without losing sight of the child within us.