Study and Career Plan

coralgirl

Introduction of My Background

I will get my bachelor’s degree in Economics in this July from Peking University. My undergraduate studies at PKU have led me to the world of economics, and have helped me lay a solid foundation for future graduate studies in Economics. I am not only fascinated by the theories I learned, but also feel passionate about using my knowledge to solve social practical problems. I participated in research on local economics in Ningxia Province and the rural immigrant workers’ economic and social conditions. I also led a team to investigating the licensed products of the Paralympics. I gradually found that my real interest and passion is to become a researcher and consultant in economics.

coralgirl

Why LSU
Firstly, the PhD program in Economics at LSU suits my interests very well. It is strong in the fields of Development and International Economics and I am interested in both. For instance, the Business School I will attend has an institution of Economic Development in addition to the Department of Economics and many professors who are good at such subjects. Also, it ranks high in these sub-disciplines in the world.

Secondly, there are abundant resources for me to do research. The Department of Economics at LSU is responsible for editing the Journal of Macroeconomics and has many publications in world-class journals. The Business School also has a branch which researches Chinese Development. I will have many chances to have contact with development issues in China, so I will be able to publish related papers and get a good position in a Chinese university or in the Chinese government after graduation.

Last but not least, the studious atmosphere and environment of LSU are very attractive to me. LSU is reported to be one of the three most beautiful campuses in the United States. It is famous for sports activities, especially for soccer and basketball. And it has excellent facilities of sports such as Olympic Games standard swimming pools and gymnasium. Also, the university has about 6% students from abroad. There is a well organized and effective Chinese students’ committee in which I plan to make friends, meet brethren and get help. Therefore, I believe I will enjoy studying and living in LSU in the future.

coralgirl

Detailed Study Plan

I plan to get a PhD degree in Economics from LSU in 5 years. According to the program requirements, I will arrange my time and courses as follows.

Year 1

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Courses:

Fall Semester (9 hours)

Price Theory I (Economics 7700)

Macroeconomics I (Economics 7710)

Mathematics for Economists (Economics 7610)

Spring Semester (9 hours)

Price Theory II (Economics 7720)

Macroeconomics II (Economics 7715)

Econometric Methods I (Economics 7630)

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Assistantship Required Work:

Carry out the assignment required by the department as a RA.

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Research Arrangement:

Choose a professor as my adviser who is interested in Development and International economics and follow his research.

coralgirl

Year 2

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Courses:

Fall Semester (9 hours)

Advanced Micro Theory (Economics 7725)

Macroeconomics III (Economics 7735)

Econometric Methods II (Economics 7631)

Spring Semester (9 hours)

Economic Growth and International Macroeconomics (Economics 7070 and 7570)

Econometric Theory III (Economics 7632)

Applied Micro Course** (selected from Industrial Organization, Health Economics, International Trade, Public Finance, and Labor Economics)

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Assistantship Required Work:

Renew the assistantship as a TA or RA

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Research Arrangement:

Follow the instruction from advisor; Learn related papers and study practical cases

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Exams:

PhD Qualifying Examination (normally Micro I-III and Macro I-III, and will together constitute the General Exam required by the Graduate School)

coralgirl

Year 3

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Courses:

Fall Semester (9 hours)

Dynamic Econometric Theory (Economics 7633)

Monetary Economics (Economics 7590 and 7595)

Applied Micro Course**

Spring Semester (9 hours)

Predissertation/Dissertation Research (9 hours)

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Assistantship Required Work:

Still perform responsibilities as a TA or RA as required by department and professors (It will be renewed in the following two years)

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Research Arrangement:

Try to join in some research projects related to the Chinese economy in the institution of economic development or the division focus on Chinese economy

coralgirl

Year 4

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Courses:

Study more courses if they are very applicable and useful for my further research.

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Assistantship Required Work

The same as Year 3

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Research Arrangement:

Doing research and working on the dissertation with the guidance from my advisor and other professors; write papers as much as I can and try to get them published

coralgirl

Year 5

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Assistantship Required Work

The same as Year 3

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Research Arrangement:

Finish dissertation and papers for the job market; write papers as much as I can and try to get them published

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Exams:

Pass final Examination (oral defense of the dissertation)

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Job Hunting:

Apply for positions as a lecturer in key universities in China, such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiaotong University，and Nankai University

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Graduate:

Get the PhD degree and graduate from LSU

coralgirl

My Career Objective

I wish to become an economist and a professor in China. A PhD degree in one of the Top 100 programs in the USA will later help me get a good position in a Chinese university. I hope to be hired in the Business School or Department of Economics at Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiaotong University or Nankai University. At the same time, I can have opportunities such as being a government or big company consultant. It is possible to get a lifetime professor title within 5 or 6 years. In this way，I can get a stable and honorable occupation with high earning and excellent welfare in China in less than ten years.

Besides, with a stable and successful career, I will have more spare time to take care of my family and do other things as I like such as writing books and traveling around. It will also be easier and more feasible for me to balance my family life and career as a professor in China.

In the meantime, I will fulfill the dream that has been burning in me since I was very young; to contribute to my country and exploit my personal potential to the utmost. With the knowledge and research skills in economics, especially in the areas of international economics and development, I can help my motherland solve her many problems in the development process, help poor people in my hometown by improving life conditions and also help companies in China overcome difficulties in globalization. So this is the most attractive vocation and career path for me.

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