Richmond grad passes along the rewards of an economics degree

Mere months after graduation, Ethan Vest, ’25, returned to campus to speak at the Exploring Economics: From Classroom to Career conference. His message resonated with the event’s mission: to expand students’ understanding of economics beyond traditional boundaries.

“Economics has been incredibly versatile and rewarding,” Vest, a financial analyst at Stratview Wealth Management, told the undergraduates in attendance. “It’s opened so many doors I hadn’t seen coming.”

In hindsight, Vest realized that activities outside class taught him just as much as any lecture. “If you approach your college experience with the right mindset, everything turns into a learning opportunity.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Anna Kovner, executive vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Panels and networking sessions connected students with early-career professionals, allowing them to explore diverse career paths and build confidence through direct professional engagement.

Maia Musial, ’26, credits these conferences with expanding her reserved nature. “Going to these conferences allowed me to develop my communication skills and build my self-confidence,” she said.

For alumni like Vest, returning isn’t just about giving back — it’s about illuminating paths forward for the next generation of Spider economists.