Economically Inclined

What do economics, math, foreign languages, service, and Washington, D.C. all have in common? The answer is Ryan Johnson ’06.

Ryan Johnson originally entered Texas A&M University with a major in environmental design. However, he quickly learned that a career in architecture wasn’t for him. Johnson then had a choice to make – he considered sociology, political science, and economics. On a whim he chose economics, and has enjoyed it ever since. After graduating in August 2007, Ryan Johnson, currently a double major in math and economics, hopes to attend graduate school in order to become a professor of economics at a major research university.

One thing that makes Ryan stand out of a crowd is his choice to pursue a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.), instead of the Bachelors of Science (B.S.) that is typical with math intensive fields. When asked why he chose a B.A., Johnson casually said that the few additional classes in the B.S. would add very little value to his overall experience, and he is confident that he is qualified to go straight into a Ph.D. program in economics.

A distinct characteristic about a B.A. is the required 14 hours studying a foreign language. Johnson, however, tested out of the basic courses in German, Russian, and Japanese. He admits that studying languages has been a hobby of his since he began teaching himself Japanese at age 12. Since then he has viewed languages as a way to challenge himself and help others. At Texas A&M, Johnson served his friends by teaching free Japanese and German lessons one semester. More people asked him to teach other languages as well, so, he began a student organization for teaching foreign languages. Although Johnson is no longer involved, the organization still offers students, faculty, and community members with free language classes taught by volunteers.

So why not major in a language? Johnson says what while he has a propensity for learning languages he has always viewed it as an auxiliary tool to supplement his chosen profession.

When he began looking for additional opportunities outside the standard program of study, he steered away from the study abroad experience and toward stateside internships. During the spring semester of his sophomore year in Washington, D.C. at American University, Johnson secured an internship with the American Enterprise Institute. While at a seminar, he met someone from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). That connection helped him land him two summers of jobs at the SEC’s Office of Economic Analysis. One more foot in the door and Johnson had received an internship with the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, a group of people that analyze and interpret economic developments in order to recommend national policy to the president.

Looking back, Johnson stated “I honestly don't believe that anyone can receive a full educational experience if they stay at the same place for 4 years. My experiences in Washington, D.C. shaped my academic experience drastically. As soon as I returned, I declared a math major because I knew for certain that I wanted to be a career academician and do economic research.”

Johnson is confident that opportunities like his are available to everyone. “It’s not like I'm a special case, all I had to do was go on the internet and search out places to intern. My drive is what led me to the positions I obtained, and nothing more. I firmly believe that anyone can get the same experience as I did if they only look for it.”

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Contact: Blair Williamson, 979.458.1347, bwilliamson@libarts.tamu.edu