John Lim Hong Cheong
How did you first become interested in economics?
My interest in Economics began when my father told me Economics was his best subject when he was a student, around the time I was leaving high school. That led me to take Economics as an A-Level subject and decided it was a more useful degree compared to my other areas of interest.
Why did you choose to study at the Nottingham School of Economics?
NSE has a good reputation in terms of overall ranking among UK universities and is also renowned for its quality of research. Moreover, it is also far away from distractions in the city with plenty of fresh air and pleasant scenery, that is conducive for focused studying and research.
Tell us about the academic environment.
It promotes a great deal of independent learning and encourages us to think ahead in terms of career in research or other professions. We are also a small school compared to the other disciplines which gives us a greater sense of belonging in a community of dedicated learners.
What are your fondest memories of your time at the Malaysia campus?
I would say it's being around people who are incredibly kind and welcoming, especially during my first year when I started joining activities on campus. I felt very much at home.
What advice would you give to someone considering or about to start a course at the school?
Really look into the skills you want or hope to master by the time you graduate and leave the university. Find out which softwares are used most by people working in industries you are interested in and take time to learn those.
Have your experiences at the school helped shape and develop your career?
Most of the courses in NSE require critical thinking and understanding, and also train us to explain concepts in a cohesive way. I had been able to explain economics concepts during job interviews that helped to land two internships and secure a job offer after I graduate. Writing skill is something that will definitely come in handy in the workplace where economics undergraduate students sharpen after three years of vigorous writing.
How difficult is the mathematics aspect of studying an economics degree?
Contrary to what I believed initially, mathematics can be understood with reading and dedication. The majority of maths used in the first and second year of our economics degree were straightforward and covered in A-Level Mathematics, differentiation and natural logarithms for instance. Whilst more complex equations involving statistics appear, these are well-explained in textbooks which are easily accessible in the library.