We were proud sponsors of the recent Victoria Business School Excellence Awards, where our Chief Economist, Adolf Stroombergen (pictured middle), presented Infometrics Economics Awards.  This year’s winners were Saif Fawzi (left) and Jamie Hatch (right).  We further celebrated these students’ success with a morning tea, where Benje Patterson took a moment to interview Jamie about what attracted him to economics and why it is important for us all to have a working knowledge of economics.

From: New Plymouth
Studied: BCom (majors in Economic and Finance, minor in Econometrics), MCom (Finance)
Current position: Graduate analyst at KPMG, Wellington

Benje Patterson: First of all, congratulations on winning an Infometrics Economics Award and on beginning your first professional role post-study.  You obviously are a highly motivated individual, but what attracted you to economics in the first place?

Jamie Hatch: In 6th form I had an economics teacher who was really enthusiastic.  When you have a teacher that inspires you it is amazing how far it pushes you along.

BP: What major economics projects did you work on while studying?

JH: I originally did an honours dissertation on intergenerational mobility (the transfer of income levels from parents to children) and then after that I decided to continue with a masters.  My thesis was on Auckland housing, specifically looking at whether it would be profitable to release farmland for housing supply.

BP: Why is it important for professionals and people in general to have some knowledge of economics?

JH: Even though people may not always think about it, economics is in the background behind everything we do in our lives.  A basic understanding of the concepts gives people the ability to make more informed choices in day-to-day life and at work.

BP: Is there anything you want to add?

JH: Just thank you for the support and I hope that my story encourages anyone sitting on the fence to give economics a try.

BP: Thanks Jamie. Good luck with the future and I look forward to crossing paths as your career progresses.