![Photo Credit: Zanib Al Razaq](images/news/alrazaq-960x540.jpg)
Major: Economics
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Why did you select your major and minor?
When I got to UNL, I never thought about majoring in economics. I was more interested in psychology, international business, and marketing. But I always knew I wanted to go to law school eventually, so I didn't worry too much about my major. Last fall, I had to take "Intro to Macroeconomics" because it was a College of Business requirement, and something clicked – I fell in love with economics. It was like my brain and what I was learning just fit together perfectly. It felt like learning a whole new language that I didn't know I could understand. So, I decided to major in economics right then and there.
As for Spanish, I've always wanted to keep studying it since high school.
Nobody really convinced me to do both economics and Spanish; it just felt like the right choice. What I didn't realize was that majoring in economics is actually a great way to get ready for law school, and of course, language skills are always a plus.
Oh, by the way, both the College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences offer an economics major. The classes are the same, but the college requirements are significantly different.
What is your favorite course you have taken from your program(s) and why?
I enjoy all of my courses because I am studying what I love :)
Have you had an internship or job?
I just finished my first internship during my time at UNL, and it was at Nebraska Appleseed. I worked as an Economic Justice Intern. I didn't even know that there were internship options directly related to economics that weren't about business until I got an email from the Summer Internship Program at the College of Arts and Sciences. If it weren't for that program, I wouldn't have even known about this internship!
During my time there, I learned a lot about the SNAP program in Nebraska and about how people get access to food in the state. Even though this doesn't directly connect to my plan of going to law school, I learned a ton about how critical public benefits are for people in Nebraska, and ways in which access can be improved. I also got to talk to and learn from lawyers at Nebraska Appleseed, which helped me make connections and learn about what it's like to be a lawyer who works for a nonprofit. It actually inspired me to think about working for a nonprofit in the future! All in all, this internship really helped me move toward my goals and made me even more excited about what I'm studying.
What are you involved in on campus or in the community?
A prominent role that I hold is as the vice president of a registered student organization known as "Random Acts of Kindness" (RAK).
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to attend law school and (possibly) work internationally!