Spotlight on LED Alumni: Michael Davenport, BA in Economics and Financial Management (2020)

Michael Davenport, Laurier alumnus, is currently working as a Senior Economist on the Macro Forecasting and Analysis team at Oxford Economics. Oxford Economics is the world's largest group of private sector economists and a world leader in global forecasting, quantitative analysis, and economic consulting. Michael graduated from Laurier with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Financial Management in 2020. He then went on to complete his Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Toronto in 2024.  

Laurier Economics Department had a chance to chat with Michael about work, his time at Laurier and his top advice for students starting out in Economics.

1. What are you working on currently, and what do you find most exciting about it?

At Oxford Economics, I primarily focus on forecasting and monitoring the Canadian economy, producing research reports on Canada's economic outlook, and liaising with clients and the media. Macro Forecasting is always an exciting discipline, and there is never a shortage of new data coming out, new topics or ideas to dive into, or new developments in the global or Canadian economy to analyze. 

2. What is one thing you remember best from Laurier?

Building long-lasting relationships. Whether it be with friends, professors, or future colleagues, Laurier is a special place where you will build relationships that last a lifetime. 

3. What advice would you have for students starting out in Economics? 

Focus on understanding how to think like an economist. Sometimes, economic theory can be overwhelming, and it's easy to get bogged down in deriving equations, coding, or solving difficult problems without focusing on why you're doing it and what the key takeaways are. Try to understand the "why" of what you're learning and think about real-world applications. 

4. Was there anything you learned that you didn’t expect to be useful later on but that was?  

Writing and presentation skills are crucial for any economist! Doing good economics is paramount but being able to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely is extremely important and will help separate you from the pack.