Benjamin Graham ’24 majored in economics and mathematics with a minor in philosophy while attending Haverford. His career aspirations include obtaining a Ph.D. in economics to research how education, labor, and health institutions impact domestic inequality and can inform better policies in these areas.
Graham credits his studies at Haverford for broadening his career interests. “Entering [Haverford], I didn’t plan on pursuing academics or a PhD because I didn’t think I was capable, nor was I passionate about research. But classes in economics, Comanor lectures, and exposure to research quickly changed both of those attitudes,” says Graham.
Courses like “Inequality and Public Policy,” “Advanced Microeconomics,” and “Microfinance” were especially notable during his studies. Graham credits his grandfather, Preston Durrill, a professor at Virginia Tech, and professors like Shannon Mudd from Haverford’s mathematics and economics departments as influential figures guiding his post-graduation plans.
“The opportunity to be a research assistant with Shannon Mudd taught me a lot about the research process, particularly how motivating it can be in the face of roadblocks and setbacks,” Graham shares.
In addition to publishing research and completing his Ph.D., Graham hopes to contribute to substantial health policy research at Brookings, either for the existing administration or the next.
His message for his fellow graduates? “I hope they remain resilient and fight for nothing but the best for themselves, their peers, and the world.”
“Where They’re Headed” is a blog series chronicling the post-collegiate plans of recent Haverford graduates.