Current Positions: Assistant Professor of Economics, Lafayette College; Data Science Fellow Affiliate, Mountain Data Group, Fort Collins, Colorado

Honestly, what really made me successful in the academic job market was the amazing support system I had during my PhD at CSU Economics. It wasn’t just about hitting the books—it was about being part of a community that truly believed in collaboration and growth.

Take my advisor, Dr. Sammy Zahran, for example. We still talk on the phone almost every week, even after I graduated. Our conversations range from scholarly collaborations to fatherly advice about life, career, and family—and that’s why I now call him SZ! Early on, I wrestled with self-doubt and wondered if I belonged in the intellectual world, but SZ was always there to help. He’d break down complex ideas during our phone calls—sometimes even at 10 p.m.—and those heartfelt chats really boosted my confidence. I can honestly say I trust SZ with my life. His ability to lift others is remarkable, especially considering how great an economist/demographer/philosopher he is—yet he’s so humble, with no ego.

Then there’s Dr. Ray Miller—whom I simply call Dr. Ray. His intellectual curiosity and generosity pushed me to refine my work and ensure I communicated my ideas clearly. His hands-on mentorship led to several co-authored papers, and every conversation with him felt like I could relate to anything. I even had the chance to visit his home, meet his family, and babysit his little dog, Leo! CSU is incredibly lucky to have such a great educator and researcher.

I also owe a lot to Dr. David Mushinski, who constantly challenged me to be empirically rigorous and introduced me to health economics at a time when I wasn’t sure which research direction to pursue.

And I can’t forget Dr. Tavani and Dr. Pena. From what I heard at our get-together events, they were the ones who convinced the Graduate Program Committee to admit me—all the way from Cambodia. I’ll always be grateful for the chance they took on me.Then there are Rosanna and Alison. Their hard work might sometimes go unnoticed, but I’ll never forget the warmth of their smiles—the kind that makes you feel like today’s going to be a good day.

Finally, my cohorts played a huge role. Some even became co-authors (Ashish, Fatih, Nes, Teresa). We never saw each other as competitors but as collaborators who challenged each other to grow. Having a cohort on the job market with you makes a big difference—it means you’re never really alone. I benefited immensely from sharing job market materials, exchanging ideas, and learning about job postings from great friends like Nes and Lackson in our little cubicle office. Also, a shoutout to Dr. Zachary Schaller and Dr. Guy Numa for helping with the mock interviews!

And let’s not undervalue the diversity of our department’s research. During my job interview, I greatly benefited from discussing how I plan to develop my future courses and think about diversity in research. Learning from everyone—from economic historians, political economy economists, and feminist economists to mainstream economists—has made me a more well-rounded educator. I now appreciate even more the thoughtful questions my students from different disciplines ask, especially in a liberal arts college setting where interdisciplinarity is highly valued.

All these experiences, combined with the technical skills I gained, prepared me for the job market. In the end, it was this blend of rigorous academic training and genuine, human support that truly set me up for success.