Coleson Weir, a 2022 graduate of the University of Delaware’s Lerner College of Business and Economics with an M.S. in Economics and Applied Econometrics, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Notre Dame. Now based in Naples, Fla., Weir credits Lerner’s 4+1 program for giving him early exposure to advanced coursework and research. His experience completing a research project in his Development Economics course, which was later accepted for publication, helped confirm his interest in pursuing an academic career. Today, Weir is continuing that path with the goal of becoming an economist and encourages students to challenge themselves and keep learning.
Lerner: Why did you decide to pursue your program at the Lerner College?
Weir: The 4+1 program allowed me to complete my bachelors and master’s degree simultaneously. This allowed me to take graduate courses during undergrad and expose me to more economic research earlier in my academic career.
Lerner: What did you learn through this opportunity that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
Weir: The program exposed me to cutting edge research in economics which made me realize that I wanted to pursue a Ph.D. and conduct my own research. The program prepared me to apply for further graduate study in economics.
Lerner: Please share an example of a course or concept that you were able to apply directly to your life and/or career.
Weir: I developed a research project examining the effect of banning harmful social practices on educational attainment in Professor Lucas’s Development Economics course. This project culminated in an academic research article that has recently been accepted for publication.
Lerner: Describe an important connection you have made through your program (personal, professional, peers, mentors, professors, etc.)
Weir: During the master’s program, I made strong connections with faculty in the economic department. Professors Lucas and Stockman assisted me in the process of applying for Ph.D. programs in economics. They have continued to provide mentorship and advice following my graduation from UD.
Lerner: If you were to describe your classmates in one word, what would that be?
Weir: One thing I loved about the economics program at UD is that students come from all around the world. This provides a lot of lively conversation about research through diverse perspectives.
Lerner: Fill in this sentence: “My program helped me become…”
Weir: A better researcher.
Lerner: What piece(s) of advice would you give to current UD students?
Weir: Push yourself outside of your academic comfort zone, and take classes that challenge your thinking and understanding of the world. Through these courses, you may end up finding your true professional or personal passions and interests.
Lerner: What are your professional plans or next steps for the future?
Weir: I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Notre Dame. I hope to pursue an academic career as an economist.
Lerner: What piece(s) of advice do you have for fellow businesspeople?
Weir: Reading academic research can provide additional perspectives on which policies are effective at solving specific problems.
Lerner: What does it mean to you to be a Lifelong Lerner?
Weir: Being a Lifelong Lerner means to never stop learning and always trying to find the best solution to a problem even if it is not the most obvious solution.