Thomas Fry
Thomas Fry is an Economics student at the University of Warwick, Co-founder/Vice-President of Warwick PLAN society and incoming investment banking analyst at The Royal Bank of Canada.
Why did you choose to study economics?
I chose to study Economics because I've always had an affinity for mathematics and a fascination with current affairs. Economics, to me, represented the perfect way of applying my quantitative skills to real world problems that affect us all.
How would you describe economics?
Economics is incredibly varied, and it is the diversity of topics that fall into the discipline that continues to stimulate me. In my undergraduate degree alone, I've studied everything from factors that have influenced historical growth to abstract theoretical models of wellbeing to advanced statistical models of both macro and micro trends.
If you had a time machine and could meet your 16-year-old self, what advice would you give them?
Be more confident in your abilities, don't be afraid to challenge the world around you and, crucially, stay true to yourself.
What is your favourite part of economics?
My favourite part of economics is industrial economics as it provides interesting insights into how complex market structures function and the different forces that influence pricing and production decisions. The exploration of markets involving platforms, such as social media sites and companies in the so-called 'gig' economy, and the network effects they depend on for success is of particular interest to me because of its relevance to policy decisions in the modern world.
Is there anything you would do differently if you had the chance?
The Department of Economics at Warwick offers such a diverse range of optional modules across the discipline - I only wish I'd been more adventurous in my choices broaden my horizon in economics further still.