Economics Celebrates the Class of 2024!
Departmental News
Posted: May 10, 2024
Economics hosted a Convocation for its graduates on a beautiful spring day. Among the honorees were three newly minted PhD's, 14 Master's students, and 37 undergraduates.
Efraín Ibarra Dávila, the 2024 Department of Economics Distinguished Alumnus awardee, gave the Convocation address. Mr. Ibarra directs the Data Analytics Team for the Audit and Compliance Division at the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department (TRD). Born in Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, Efraín moved with his family to Albuquerque when he was 11. He attended UNM, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Economics in 2013 and later returning to earn a Master of Public Policy in 2020.
Mr. Ibarra shared his experiences of starting school in the United States without knowing a word of English, and, in his first job, of having to let an agency know about a funding cut. His conclusion:
If there are any highlights to take from this story, always remember that your work matters. You are about to step into the real world. You’ll be in places where your econometric model results are different from your colleagues. You’ll be in a world where the data is messy, where your clients are late in giving you the data. But don’t ever forget that your work matters. Your work is real. And you have the tools to succeed. Remember to ask for help, look for opportunities, and when the door opens, walk through that door. Seize that opportunity. You have the tools to succeed. As you walk away tonight as graduates of economics, remember now that rest is up to you.
