Exploring Careers in Economics: Alumni Share Campus to Career Stories at Upcoming CCI Event

The two-part event invites students to connect with Middlebury alumni who have built careers in finance, consulting, public policy, research, and beyond. On Thursday evening, a panel of alumni will share how their Middlebury experience shaped their professional journeys, followed by an opportunity for one-on-one virtual conversations on Friday.

“We want students to see just how versatile an economics background can be,” said Ursula Olender, Executive Director of CCI. “Whether you’re interested in markets, human behavior, or systems thinking, these skills translate across so many industries.”

The Thursday evening panel will feature alumni including Grecia De la O Abarca ’17.5 International Security Manager, VDI, at Inter-American Development Bank, and Denizhan Duran ’11, Senior Economist at The World Bank, who will reflect on how they navigated the transition from Middlebury to the workplace. Friday’s virtual chats give students a chance to go deeper, asking personal career questions, or exploring potential paths after graduation.

Past Field Guide events have highlighted fields such as earth and climate sciences, global health, and the arts, offering students a space to hear candid stories from alumni and explore industries they may not have previously considered.

“I used to attend all of the Field Guides,” said Grace Carroll ‘22 “and I credit those experiences with my ability to network professionally with folks who might seem unapproachable. I learned that most people genuinely want to help students and young professionals in their career journey.”” 

Both events are open to all students, regardless of major or class year. The panel will take place on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4:30–6:15 p.m., and one-on-one chats will be available 9:00 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 7. Students can register via the CCI website at go/FieldGuide.