Economics Alumni Share Their Career Journeys

Departmental News

Anand Macherla joins the Pizza with Professionals event via Zoom. The panel, from left to right, included Melissa Binder, Alison Turner, Christina Campos and James Jimenez

Posted: November 7, 2025

Alison Turner worked as a barista, Anand Macherla won a fellowship, Christina Campos ran a restaurant, James Jimenez was city manager for Rio Rancho. These are among the varied stops along the evolving career paths of four Economics alumni who shared their experiences with current Economics majors. Alison now does economic development research for a national lab, Anand is a social entrepreneur, Christina serves as a UNM Regent, and James directs an advocacy organization. The alumni, who credit their Economics training as a key ingredient for their success, encouraged students to follow where their curiosity leads. Christina and James found that combining economics with a second major in Latin American Studies gave them a unique perspective; Anand and Alison attribute a business class practicum led by now-Economics Professor Manuel Montoya as a major influence in shaping their careers.