Michael Kheyfets
Michael Kheyfets is a BA/MA alum, graduating in 2007, and is currently a Partner at Edgeworth Economics. Recently the department interviewed Michael to get his perspective on what makes BU’s MA in Economics stand out:
Why did you choose to get your MA at BU?
Michael: I was a Sophomore working on my undergraduate degree in economics and looking for a way to challenge myself by possibly adding another major. I first learned about the economics BA/MA program from speaking to Professor Leroy Jones one evening after the Economics of the Public Sector class I was taking with him. Many years since, I still remember that conversation informing me of an amazing opportunity I didn’t know existed. (I also still remember trying to track down where in the world Professor Jones’ travels took him the following semester, when I wanted to ask him to write a recommendation for me.)
How was your experience in the program?
My experience in the program was exactly what I was looking for. My classes and research challenged me to think about how economics works not just in textbooks, but in the real world. The program was rigorous and I distinctly remember the satisfaction of arriving at solutions to hard problems through critical thinking and empirical analysis. (I also recall instances of realizing there is no “right” answer, but rather distinct approaches, each with its own set of tradeoffs.) Although I already had a career in mind while I was in the program, I think these skills would have translated into any path I pursued.
What have you been up to since you graduated?
Since graduating, I have been an economic consultant, primarily advising clients on antitrust and competition issues. For me, it was a natural extension of the skills I learned in the MA program. My work now consists of studying how markets and firms operate, and applying statistical and econometric tools to complex data sets. The MA program was a perfect springboard into a career as a professional consultant, and I’m grateful for my experience at BU.