A native of Hockessin, Del., Jack Doolittle is graduating from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an economics, mathematics, and philosophy triple major.
Doolittle was nominated for this series by Assistant Professor of Economics, Associate Chair – Undergraduate Programs Elizabeth Bayley.
In this profile, Doolittle shares his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Doolittle: Since my first semester at UD I have become a more open person willing to ask others for help when needed. Prior to UD I had it in my mind that wherever I ran into any difficulty I had to figure it out on my own, but UD has provided me with a community where I feel comfortable going to others for help.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Doolittle: My favorite signature UD experience is going to the rock wall with friends. The rock wall provided a weekly reprieve for my friends and I to forget about our work and relax.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Doolittle: A Lerner professor who has had a big impact on my UD experience is Dr. Holter. In my time at UD, Dr. Holter has provided me with the opportunity to do research over the past two years by serving as my mentor for the McNair scholars program, instilling in me a passion for research and being there to help me when needed.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Doolittle: To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means taking what I have learned in my time at Lerner and using it to better understand the world and people around me. Additionally I believe it goes the other way around; being a “Lifelong Lerner” means using my experiences with the world and the people in it to come to a deeper understanding of what I have learned during my time at Lerner.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Doolittle: As basic as the advice is, I think the best thing you can do is to stay on top of your work and complete it in a timely manner. This will allow you to truly enjoy those moments at UD you have with your friends and those you care about without concern.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Doolittle: Following graduation, I plan to continue my education by completing the plus one component of my economics four plus one at the University of Delaware to receive my master of science in economics and applied econometrics. Following this, I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in economics with the long-term goal of becoming an economics professor.