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Economics in Action : Issue 11 : Nov. 26, 2014 : Home Chair’s Corner Alumni Spotlight ISSUE 11 : NOV. 26, 2014 Welcome to Economics in Action. Paola Avila ’97 Alumni Spotlight Chamber of Commerce director advances Chair’s Corner by exploration and connection FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Isabel Trevino DEPARTMENT AWARDS Can Japan End Two Decades of Undergraduate Awards Faculty Stagnation? Graduate Awards A look at the monetary policy regime change of Abenomics Spotlight Faculty Awards Isabel Trevino FEATURE ARTICLES James Hamilton Honored by Understanding decision- Faculty in the News International Association for making during financial Energy Economics Taking Paternity Leave Makes Other Dads More Likely crises to Do the Same Can Japan End Two Decades of Brave Men Take Paternity Leave Stagnation? Experts Weigh In on Capitol Hill Paternity Leave Policy Past Issues Study to look at financial impact of state’s gas boom SUBSCRIBE This year’s awards honor undergraduates, graduate Fact Check: Kashkari’s Big Claims About California’s students and faculty. Poverty Name: San Diego Man Killed In Syria Fighting For ISIS (video) Undergraduate Student Recipients » Email: Why Americans Join Terrorist Groups (audio with Graduate Student Recipients » transcript) Faculty Recipients » Education expert of the University of California (San Diego): “If education reform is applied once throughout Chile, could be a disaster” [in Spanish] give now Teachers who don’t show up to work cost India $1.5 billion a year VIEW MORE Political pressure halted direct benefits transfer for LPG: Events Karthik Muralidharan Jan 2015 ASSA Conference http://economics.ucsd.edu/economicsinaction/issue-11/index.php[8/5/2016 10:16:59 AM] Economics in Action : Issue 11 : Nov. 26, 2014 : Home Latest CREDO Study Identifies Strengths in Los Angeles Charter Schools 3-5 Study calls for standardizing English fluency definition Feb Economics Roundtable: Long language programs hold back English learners Devajyoti Ghose, Federal 5 Home Loan Mortgage Study: English Learner students do best mainstreamed Corporation by 5th grade Early English Language Learners Excel Academically, Study Finds Stay Connected with LinkedIn Published by the Department of Economics faculty and staff. Economics in Action is produced with the support Designed by UC San Diego Creative Services and Publications of UCSD Alumni. Questions, comments, complaints? Have a story idea? Email us! UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093 (858) 534-2230 Copyright © 2014 Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Terms & Conditions | Feedback http://economics.ucsd.edu/economicsinaction/issue-11/index.php[8/5/2016 10:16:59 AM] Economics in Action : Issue 11 : Nov. 26, 2014 : Alumni Spotlight: Paola Avila ’97 ISSUE 11 : NOV. 26, 2014 Alumni Spotlight Paola Avila ’97 Chair’s Corner Chamber of Commerce Director Advances by Exploration and FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Connection Isabel Trevino DEPARTMENT AWARDS By Jenelle Dean, Alumni Director, Division of Social Sciences Undergraduate Awards Graduate Awards Paola Avila graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt College in Faculty Awards 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. In 2013, she FEATURE ARTICLES joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce as James Hamilton Honored by the director of public policy, and earlier this year, she International Association for became the chamber’s Mexico Business Center director. In Energy Economics her new position, she “will focus on developing domestic Can Japan End Two Decades of and international public policies that enhance economic Stagnation? prosperity through cross-border trade, an efficient border, and robust business, political and cultural relationships Past Issues between the two countries,” according to a statement in U- SUBSCRIBE T San Diego. Previously, Paola served as the deputy chief of staff to former San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy, and Name: communications director to Sen. Ben Hueso, providing Email: counsel on policy issues such as energy, water and economic development. A Mexico City native, Paola has dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship and is fluent in Spanish and French. She is give now married to Troy Gorostiza. They have two daughters, ages 15 and 11, who aspire to attend UC schools, and two French bulldogs, Bandit and King. Both of Paola’s siblings also graduated from UC San Diego. VIEW MORE She proudly said, “Triton blood runs strong in our family!” Events Jan 2015 ASSA Conference What were your experiences like in the Department of Economics? Which 3-5 courses/faculty/opportunities made an impact on you? Feb Economics Roundtable: I say with great confidence that the faculty and advisors were an excellent resource, supportive and Devajyoti Ghose, Federal 5 Home Loan Mortgage flexible. At the time (1995-97), computers were not as easily available off-campus as they are now, and I Corporation did not own a computer, so I spent many evenings in the department computer lab. There was a mandatory Excel class that I took that had a huge impact on my career: I quickly became known as the expert in Excel (and therefore Access) at work at a time when these were the only known Stay Connected programs that could manipulate data. with LinkedIn How did UC San Diego prepare you for your transition after graduation? UC San Diego prepared me overall for each and every one of my professional roles. Since I was working throughout college, I found that what I learned in the classroom was directly applicable to what I did at work. I tested economic theories in real-time applications in the financial markets. In addition, the time- management and writing and presentation skills I gained at UC San Diego were, in particular, a tremendous asset in the workplace. What was your career trajectory? I began working at a financial services firm – PaineWebber – during my junior year. My interest in economics at that time was centered on global markets and the stock exchange. I was fascinated by the investment trends and how politics and world events guided the markets. I enjoyed my two years working in this field but quickly realized the burn rate and emotional investment would remain a constant and decided it was not for me. http://economics.ucsd.edu/economicsinaction/issue-11/alumni-spotlight.php[8/5/2016 10:17:03 AM] Economics in Action : Issue 11 : Nov. 26, 2014 : Alumni Spotlight: Paola Avila ’97 I planned to take some time off after completing my last course in the fall of 1997 and went to work at a public affairs/communications firm at the recommendation of my boss at the financial services firm. This was not something I was familiar with and, in fact, I felt much apprehension. I did not think I would enjoy it but took it as an intern post while I figured out what I wanted to do. As it turned out, I was immediately hooked. I loved the policy component and high energy of the field. I made numerous business contacts, one of whom became my mentor and No. 1 teacher. He recruited me to work for him at another public-affairs firm that ran political campaigns for individuals and ballot initiatives. I dived right into a heavily contested mayoral race where we narrowly made it to the primary and then inched toward victory in the general election by another tight margin. Our client, the new mayor, asked me to work for him as his deputy chief of staff, a position which had never before been held by someone of my young age. I happily accepted and served in that position for five years. When I left, I took a year off and focused on raising my two daughters. This also allowed me to fulfill the one-year restriction from lobbying city officials, so it worked out very well. After that year, I began my own government- and community-relations consulting business, and I worked on a variety of interesting projects and political campaigns. One of the last campaigns I ran was a state- assembly race. That led to a position at that state assembly office as communications director while still maintaining some clients from my own business. A couple of years later, I realized that I missed the private sector and was thrilled to join the Chamber of Commerce working for a fabulous team that our former Mayor Jerry Sanders had put together. What were you involved in while you were here on campus? I competed on the cross-country and track teams. In track, my events were the 5K and 10K races. Being a part of the overall athletic community at UC San Diego was one of the best experiences, and where I spent the majority of my time. Reflecting back on my time on campus, I recall receiving a warm welcome by other sports teams at functions outside of our specific activities. I also worked full time while I was in school. What are some of your favorite things about UC San Diego? UC San Diego’s reputation! It is easy to boast about my alma mater because its academic reputation is solid. Whether in a conversation at work or in a social setting, I love the immediate credentials I gain when I tell people that I graduated from UC San Diego. Additional favorites: The fact that so many alums stay in San Diego, so our network here is substantial and strong. Especially when considering that the UC San Diego family extends to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Birch Aquarium, hospitals, etc. Location, location, location! The proximity to the beach goes without saying. Some of my favorite things about the campus itself are Geisel Library, Che Café, running the trails in the eucalyptus trees and catching a show at La Jolla Playhouse. What are your future professional goals? I feel like I have met many of my professional goals and am at a place that fits me perfectly.