Janhavi Banyal
Janhavi is an MSc Economics student at the University of Warwick and is intrigued by the ways economic systems shape societies. She is interested in economic consulting, public policy, and analysis. Previously, she completed her undergraduate degree in Economics from Delhi Technological University, India.
Why did you choose to study economics?
I chose Economics because I understood its role in understanding, analysing, and trying to solve real-world problems. During high school, I was always interested in how economic decisions - both big and small - affect communities. Economics felt like the best way to understand how the world really works; it felt like the field where I could make a difference!
How would you describe economics?
Economics is the study of how individuals, organisations and governments make decisions to allocate their limited resources into different areas such that they gain maximum satisfaction. What I love the most about Economics is that it does not just deal with numbers - it tells the story of human behaviour and societal trends.
If you had a time machine and could meet your 16-year-old self, what advice would you give them?
I would tell my 16-year-old self to take up all the opportunities that come your way without being afraid of failing or making mistakes - they often lead to the best learning moments. Also, I would encourage myself to read more and keep loving and making art as I used to!
What is your favourite part of economics?
My favourite part about Economics is that it aims to make everyone in the society better off. Its real-world relevance is highly intriguing, and I love how Economics gives a lens to view the problems and the potential solutions in society. What draws me to Economics is that its learnings can be applied to a wide range of topics, from environmental challenges to inequality to international trade.
Is there anything you would do differently if you had the chance?
If given a chance, I would try to strengthen my foundational mathematics skills. I would also go beyond my classroom learnings and read about a wider range of topics in Economics. It is a rich subject and I believe no classroom can do justice to the abundant amount of knowledge that Economics has to offer.