Student Insights: An Exclusive Interview with Ole Agersnap (Graduate)
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In this instalment of our "Graduate Student Reflections" series, we catch up with Ole Agersnap, a first-year student in the Economics PhD program at Princeton University.
Ole Agersnap, a baritone in the Princeton Chapel Choir, is currently navigating the core courses of his PhD program. Despite being in the early stages of his academic journey, he has already developed a list of potential research ideas to explore.
The path that led Ole to Princeton was not a straightforward one. After completing his master's degree at the London School of Economics (LSE), he spent a year working in the financial sector. However, he found the job less intellectually stimulating than the allure of conducting his own research.
Ole's interest in economics stems from a combination of a general curiosity about society and a strong affinity for mathematics. He finds economics appealing because it allows him to use data and theory to uncover hidden aspects of society that might not be immediately apparent.
Transitioning from undergraduate to graduate school was a gradual process for Ole. Having already completed a master's degree, he was not surprised by the graduate school experience. He finds the PhD program at Princeton both interesting and challenging.
The best part of Ole's graduate school experience so far has been having access to world-class economists. He finds it reassuring that the interviewer, Shanon FitzGerald, also a baritone in the Princeton Chapel Choir, shares this sentiment. Shanon finds Ole's story encouraging, as he tried a career path before deciding to pursue a PhD.
Ole admits that he enjoys living in Princeton more than he expected. His decision to pursue a PhD was not based on specific factors that can be gleaned from the available information. However, it is clear that his passion for economics and his desire for intellectual challenge played a significant role in his decision.
This article is part of a series titled "Graduate Student Reflections" and was written by Shanon FitzGerald, the Social Sciences Correspondent. It is not about Hadiya Jones, Alex Wheatley '16 20, or Nathan Eckstein '16 20.
Plans After Graduation
As a first-year student, Ole Agersnap is still taking core courses and has not yet fully transitioned into research. Plans for his future are subject to change, as Shanon encourages trying things out and seeing what works best. However, one thing is certain: Ole Agersnap is on a journey to make significant contributions to the field of economics.
As we continue to follow Ole's journey, we will keep you updated on his research, experiences, and insights. Stay tuned for more instalments of "Graduate Student Reflections."
Ole Agersnap, in his pursuit of a PhD in Economics at Princeton University, is focused on personal growth and education-and-self-development, as he explores potential research ideas and immerses himself in the challenging academic environment. He views learning and intellectual challenge as crucial factors in his significant contributions to the field of economics, which he plans to make in the future.
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