Valerie Kwek

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.

Economics really opened my eyes on how to think about real world problems in terms of simpler models based on tradeoffs and psychology. From simple micro/macroeconomic topics like supply and demand to game theory concepts such as the beauty contest (shoutout to Alice in Borderland!), it was interesting to see how different factors can influence our decision making. 

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

Doing an economics minor with a computer science major showed me how to better make an impact. Computer science emphasizes how to make systems well structured and efficient, but economics added a societal perspective on how we can use these systems for the benefit of everyone and address global inefficiencies.

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?

Studying a wide range of fields allowed me to become more open to new ideas and other perspectives. When we think about problems, we should think about them from both a problem solving angle and an empathetic approach. My college experiences taught me not only how to think critically, but also how to engage thoughtfully with the world beyond my technical work.

What are your plans for the future?

After graduating, I plan to continue delving into the intersection of technology + economics and will be working as a software engineer in Chicago!