Diana Degnan

What’ve you enjoyed most about your area of study? Was there a particular discovery, new skill or way of thinking, or insight that you found especially valuable? Please share an example from your favorite class or experience.

My favorite thing about studying Economics and Political Science is how it focuses on the impact you can have on people’s lives, from the smallest form of local government to the largest macroeconomic policies. Gaining strong quantitative skills, and learning how to apply these to a public policy or economic question, has allowed me to evaluate, understand, and pursue not just the simplest and most common policy solutions, but the most innovative, efficient, and research-backed solutions as well.

How does the knowledge from this field, or your interest in it, combine with your other major or minor studies at MIT?

I think political science and economics truly go hand in hand. James Carville was onto something when he said “It’s the economy, stupid.” Economic decisions and economic policies are a huge part of people’s lives – it affects where they live, where they work, and who they vote for. Americans make their decisions about which politicians to support, and even whether to vote or not, based on their economic circumstances. In turn, part of the government’s responsibility is to ensure that Americans have access to economic opportunity, fair labor markets, and basic needs such as healthcare, education, housing, and infrastructure. Learning the policy of economics, and how much economic influences policy, has given me a much more nuanced and wholistic outlook on the role of government and public service.

An MIT education includes study in the scientific, technical, social science, arts, and humanities fields. How do you think that wide range of knowledge and perspectives will be valuable to you – for your career success and for your enjoyment of life?

MIT’s wholistic education has given me a huge appreciation and respect for how technical skills and data can and should be integrated into each and every part of public policy. Being able to use technical, quantitative skills in pursuit of the best policy solutions makes me uniquely poised to approach a career in government with a problem-solving attitude that doesn’t settle for a solution, but rather the best solution we can possibly achieve.

What are your plans for the future?

Working in Washington, DC.