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Claire Donovan
Master of Arts in Applied Economics, 2009

I attended SMU homecoming in the fall for my 10 year college reunion and made a visit back to the SMU Department of Economics. The best part of that visit was that I walked back into the same environment I left in 2009. Every professor in the department exhibits a passion for the subject matter they teach that encourages their students to take a deeper interest. The professors in the Department taught me that you can be successful at anything you are enthusiastic about. When I have a project at work that may not be my favorite, I look for the parts of it that genuinely peak my interest and that’s where I start. Starting from that point always leads me to ask more questions and dive deeper. This approach helped me gain additional value from my economics classes, and helps me be successful in my career today. 

I currently am a Tax Manager in the Transfer Pricing Department at Amazon. While I was being recruited by Amazon, one of the interviewers analogized working in the Department as working in a transfer pricing amusement park. I cannot think of a more accurate description. No two days are the same. I come to work prepared with of plan of issues to be addressed and analyses to be completed, and I have yet to have day when that plan did not need significant alterations. An innovative company requires quick but deep tax analysis. 

I suspect the above paragraph must have made my Econometrics Professor, Dr. Fomby, smile with satisfaction because he predicted my career when I was in the Applied Economics Master’s Program. While attending his office hours, he asked me about by plans after graduation. I mentioned that I would be attending law school at the University of Alabama. Dr. Fomby promptly responded “you will one day work in transfer pricing.” As someone who had been thinking of criminal defense or corporate law as future career paths, I told him there was absolutely no way. 

During law school, I balanced a class load of advanced evidence and criminal law classes in addition to competing on Alabama’s Trial Advocacy team. And, I spent my summers gaining work experience at public defenders’ offices. Needless to say, a career in transfer pricing was not in the forefront of my mind. 
To have some extra knowledge when filing my 1040, I decided to enroll in a personal income tax law class. With a background in economics, I naturally found the class enjoyable which led me to enroll in more tax classes. By my third year of law school, my class load could be described as tax heavy. 
I will never forget the day that a recruiter from EY called me and asked if I would be interested in interviewing for a transfer pricing position. I had applied to another position in EY Tax but, as Dr. Fomby predicted, my background in economics and law made me a great candidate for transfer pricing. The interview went well and seven years later my career in transfer pricing is well on its way. 

My time in the Economics Department had great and challenging moments. I am grateful for every one of them because they add up to the valuable education I still rely on today. Thank you to the professors for sharing their knowledge and energy which have had a huge impact on my career. 

And, to Dr. Fomby, next time you give a student a career prediction, put a bet on it. Pony up!

Jamie Reedy
Master of Arts in Applied Economics, 2010

After graduating with my M.A. in Applied Economics, I was fortunate enough to utilize the Hegi Family Career Development Center to be hired by the fortune 100 company, Coca- Cola in 2010. I was promoted 4 times within my 7 years with the company and lead the Western Region as an Account Executive.   Currently based out of San Francisco, CA., I took a position with Kellogg as a National Account Executive in December of 2017, and am currently managing their Western Region, including $80 million in assets. 
I truly believe that because of my extensive training at SMU, I was more than prepared in my abilities and skills to obtain a career in a highly competitive and sought out industry.  Being equipped with the necessary tools, given by SMU, has given me the confidence required to excel, persevere, grow and overcome, constantly pushing the envelope to become the greater of myself. 
A memory that I hold dear to my heart, was when I was able to invite my younger sister to walk the campus of a university that molded me into the woman I am today.  Watching her be exposed to the limitless opportunities that I was bless to wake up to everyday, gave me peace in knowing that I could properly place my footsteps in the sand for her to follow.