Jerome Dumortier is one of several graduate students who will soon complete their course of studies in the Department of Economics. Learn what he has planned after his exit in August.

What degree did you complete? I will get a Ph.D. in economics and will graduate this summer (August). My research area is agricultural and environmental/resource economics. My dissertation analyzes the effects of a stochastic carbon price on agricultural production and forestry in the United States.

What are your plans after you leave ISU? I got hired as an assistant professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis. They were looking for an applied economist to incorporate economic principles in public policy analysis.

What is exciting or interesting to you about this next step in your career? I am looking forward to continuing doing research and applying the tools I acquired at Iowa State University to real world problems. In addition, the move to a large city will also require some adjustment, but I'm sure it will be very exciting.

What was one of the most valuable things you learned from the Department of Economics? Besides the quantitative tools and the institutional knowledge about agriculture, forestry, and greenhouse gas emissions, I have learned that determination can get you anywhere. It's been a challenging journey, and one that I could never have expected when I first started. It’s satisfying to think about where I started from, and to realize the fruits of hard work.