MA in Economics

MD Minhazul Huda, 2025

I’m an international student from Bangladesh who hopes to shape economic policymaking in the future for developing nations like my own. At George Mason, growth came not just from classes, but from accidentally discovering campus events and getting pulled into thoughtful conversations with professors and peers that made learning feel both challenging and fun.

What was your specific area of study and how did you choose it?

I majored in econometrics and quantitative economics, but my interest in economics goes back to my very first economics class in high school, right after recess, when paying attention was definitely not my top priority. I walked in with zero interest, but the moment my teacher explained demand and supply, I was unexpectedly hooked, and that class was the first time I realized this was something I truly wanted to pursue. 

If you completed a dissertation, thesis, or capstone, please tell us about it.  

My program did not require a formal dissertation or thesis, but I had a similar and genuinely fun academic experience through a paper I wrote for my monetary economics course taught by Professor White. The paper was on free banking and how central banks came to be, which was completely new to me at the time. The fact that I loved working on it is what truly remained with me. It stopped feeling like an assignment and started feeling like I was just exploring ideas out of curiosity. Looking back, it’s easily one of my brightest academic moments at George Mason. 

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) impact you? 

The experience was quite impactful due to how comfortable I became as a student. The college's culture and teaching methods were highly approachable. I was able to participate in class, ask questions, and take interest in conversations without having to overthink. The wide variety of courses available at CHSS is something I would want to emphasize; it seemed like there was always something to discover, regardless of your major. 

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your George Mason career?  

All my professors played a role in making my degree so much worth it, but two really stood out: Professor Candela and Professor Mollerstrom, each in very different ways. I’ll admit that reading academic papers has never been my strongest habit, but Professor Candela’s carefully chosen readings and the way he led discussions around them genuinely changed how I engaged with research papers. His passion for economics was contagious. On the other hand, Professor Mollerstrom brought economics to life through in-class lab experiments, and for the first time, I felt like I wasn’t just learning about experiments but doing them which made me feel like an experimental economist in action, which was honestly pretty cool. 

Why did you choose George Mason for your graduate studies? 

My biggest motivation for choosing George Mason was what we like to call “Masonomics.” In a world where many institutions don’t really emphasize Austrian economic thought, George Mason stands out by doing it exceptionally well while still integrating modern tools, models, and empirical methods. That balance made Mason Economics my top choice. Beyond academics, George Mason’s diverse campus culture and its location near Washington, D.C., made it an especially exciting choice for me as an international student.

Which accomplishments during your time at George Mason are you most proud of?

Honestly, every part of my journey at George Mason feels like an accomplishment. To me, every little win mattered, whether it was navigating my way around campus, learning and adapting to the Mason way, working part time in dining services, making friends, or getting the chance to pick my professors’ brains. However, if I had to pick one instance, it would be walking across the stage and finally being recognized as a George Mason graduate. At that moment everything felt so real and worth it. 

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students? 

Spend more time on campus. I regret not taking advantage of everything George Mason had to offer, because there is so much to learn and so many opportunities that genuinely help you grow. The number of resources available to students is sometimes astonishing. Whether it’s getting involved in research with incredibly talented people or trying out something fun and unexpected like puppy yoga, all of it adds up and becomes part of your academic journey in ways you don’t fully realize until the end. 

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals? 

I plan to begin my career in data analyst roles across the economics and finance fields. While pursuing a PhD is not part of my immediate plan, it’s something I have never fully crossed off either. In the long run, I hope to return to the central policymaking space in Bangladesh and play a leading role in monetary decision making. That said, I will admit I sometimes also fantasize about retiring early and starting my own farm in the scenic countryside, proof that even economists need a backup plan in this economy.