How did you first become interested in economics?
I always had quite a large area of interest. As economics covers so many things, it's seemed a logical choice to study it at university.
Why did you choose to study at the School of Economics at Nottingham?
My dissertation advisor in Belgium advised me to apply. A former student of him had a great experience a few years earlier.
What are your fondest memories of your time at the school?
That would be my first day. I remember being all prepared for the first class and entering the Sir Clive Granger Building. I didn't know anybody and my English wasn't that good. But the atmosphere was great and I stayed for a total of seven years.
What advice would you give to someone considering or about to start a course at the school?
It is a great environment to learn. Get the most out of it!
Tell us about your career path since graduation.
At first, the plan was to do the masters and then to start working. In the end, I continued studying in the school after my masters and started a PhD. Once this was over, I still hadn't enough of Nottingham. I stayed another two years as a Postdoctoral Teaching Associate.
Between the end of my PhD and my role as Teaching Associate, I spend four months as a PhD Trainee at the European Central Bank. Now, I finally returned to Belgium, my home country, and I am working as an economist in Brussels for ING, a bank.
What do you enjoy most about that?
My job at ING as economist is quite varied. I am following current affairs quite closely and commenting on these in the media and giving presentations about it to clients and within the bank.
And what are the main challenges?
Being in the know on the important economic developments can be challenging. Monetary policy in the US, Italian elections, debt issues in Venezuela or geopolitical tensions with North Korea…As an economist one needs to understand these issues and their consequences. Luckily I am part of an international team with each member specialising in parts of the puzzle.
Have your experiences at the school helped you?
I acquired a lot of technical economic skills at Nottingham, notably econometrics. More generally, I developed a critical mind. My time at the school also broadened my world view as I met people from all over the world.
Are you still in touch with your fellow alumni and, if so, how do you stay in contact?
Yes, mostly via social media. But also occasional meet-ups with those that are not too far away.
Why is staying in touch important to you?
Some of the people I met during my time in Nottingham became friends.