Joining the 2024 Fed Challenge was an experience that reshaped both my academic path and personal growth in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I first enrolled in an Economics class when I felt uninspired and disconnected from my studies. I hoped it might rekindle some academic excitement or at least shake things up. Little did I know that a base level econ class would spark a genuine passion and set me on a path I’d eventually embrace wholeheartedly. At the beginning, I still felt like I wasn’t fully connected or in love with economics. But from those unsure days, to actively preparing and competing in the Fed Challenge, the journey has been full of surprises and transformations.
The Fed Challenge was no ordinary classroom exercise. It pulled me out of the safety of lectures and predictable assignments, pushing me into real-world applications of economic concepts. We didn’t just read about GDP growth or inflation; we analyzed these trends, tracked labor market shifts, and dove into other key economic indicators like our lives depended on it. Each week, my team huddled up to brainstorm, present, and critique policy recommendations, sharpening our analytical skills more with every session. My main focus? Angling different forms of unemployment to proactively shape Q/A round questions in our favor.
What really stood out to me was the intense teamwork this competition required. I’d worked on group projects before, but this was another level. We weren’t just a bunch of students dividing up tasks; we shared responsibility, holding each other accountable for every missed detail. The pressure to make sure my work didn’t let down the team pushed me harder. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, late nights, heated debates, tight deadlines—but all of that made our bond stronger and showed me what true teamwork and grit looks like.
The most memorable part of the challenge was our policy recommendations. Supporting our presenters, making sure the formatting of the slides and video itself were up to par with the golden standard(last year’s winner). Those moments felt like more than just an academic test; they mirrored what real economists do when advising policymakers, and that was eye-opening.
One of the unexpected highlights was learning how technology is shaping economic policy. During one of our sessions, a guest speaker discussed the influence of AI on productivity and economic strategies. This struck a chord with me, along with Kyren starting up his AI club, and learning from him about its processes, and the way he thinks it’ll effect economics in the future. I am now motivated to get comfortable with AI and learn how to use it to my advantage. Our team didn’t make it to the final round, but that didn’t diminish the impact of the experience. The challenge taught me resilience—how to roll with setbacks and take constructive feedback in stride. It was about more than economics; it was a crash course in expressing my ideas confidently, staying cool under pressure, and jumping into discussions about big, global issues without hesitation.
Looking back, the 2024 Fed Challenge has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my academic journey. It showed me that the real reward isn’t just in winning but in the skills you build, the knowledge you gain, and the connections you make along the way. It reignited my love for learning and reminded me that taking a leap, even if it’s intimidating, is always worth it for the growth it brings.