Nicholas Zeek, an economics major, has found some unique ways to apply his economics education to his personal interests and his future career.
СAPPIn the past year IСAPPve made big moves and set the direction of what I want to do,СAPP he explained. СAPPI want to be a healer. When I was little, I wanted to be a chiropractor, a philosopher, and a massage therapist. And itСAPPs crazy how the eastern therapies incorporate all of those things.
СAPPEconomics is a totally different discipline,СAPP he said. СAPPI love that IСAPPm learning something that is going to be so useful. ItСAPPs one of the most versatile business degrees because it teaches you how the business world works. IСAPPm going to have an understanding of the economics of health care systems and how to run a business, and thatСAPPs really important for any scope of practice in any field.
СAPPWhen most people want to go into business, they go into management,СAPP he said. СAPPBut I think economics is the move. ItСAPPs so versatile, and itСAPPs the broadest business degree, in my opinion.СAPP
His appreciation for economics goes beyond strictly thinking about his future business. Nicholas uses what heСAPPs learning in classes to improve the skills he uses on a daily basis.
СAPPThe other thing I appreciate is that economics one of the best degrees to get to really dive into critical thinking and dive into problem-solving,СAPP he said. СAPPEconomics really teaches you how to work through labeling a problem, coming up with a solution, thinking of any extraneous variables, and anything that has an impact on the situation."
Applying His Research to Future Endeavors
The topic Nicholas chose for one of his research projects aligns with his future career.
СAPPIСAPPm basing my topic off of some lessons of eastern wellness that I learned a few weeks ago at a retreat with an acupuncturist in Lafayette,СAPP he explained.
СAPPThe four principles of wellness according to Bob Flaws, a well-renowned writer, are: diet, exercise, rest and relaxation, and good mental attitude,СAPP he said. СAPPSo, IСAPPm asking: does practicing these four principles within a society lower the amount of disease?
СAPPIСAPPll be comparing across countries,СAPP he said. СAPPIСAPPm designing variables to see if they fit within five categories СAPP the four, plus the fifth category of СAPPother.СAPP In my model, disease is going to be measured by the aggregate of all mental and physical diseases."
The research Nicholas has already done and his enthusiasm for economic theory has sparked some follow-up ideas.
СAPPItСAPPs cool to see economic theories applied to anything,СAPP he said. СAPPBecause of this, IСAPPve thought of a few other cool ideas, like whether practicing traditional martial arts has a relationship on violent crime rates.
СAPPMartial arts in history was a way to keep energy flowing in the body,СAPP he said. СAPPAnd all the diseases in the east are attributed to blocked energy. Presumably, practicing martial arts would lower your rate of disease.
СAPPThatСAPPs the cool thing about economics СAPP you can use it anywhere,СAPP he said. СAPPEconomics is not just business, itСAPPs a way of thinking.СAPP
Using His Education in Club Leadership
Nicholas takes pride in being a leader in two clubs on campus. He's president of the and the , where he learned to apply some of the topics he learned in class.
СAPPOne of my management professors helped me realize the importance of setting up a vision-mission for a club СAPP setting up a direction for a club as a primary organizational skill,СAPP he said. СAPPFor anything, you go back to the vision and say, СAPPIs this in line with our vision?СAPP and it keeps unnecessary clutter out of the picture.
СAPPIСAPPm figuring out the ins and outs of designing jobs,СAPP he said. СAPPFor the Jiu Jitsu Club, I have this task force of officers: our shogun (VP), our baron (treasurer), and our thane (VP of membership) СAPP feudal terms from Japan, Europe, and Scandinavia. I have these people and I need these things done, so what tasks are appropriate to assign to which people?СAPP
As part of his leadership with the RaginСAPP Cajun Jiu Jitsu Club, he makes it a point to communicate the clubСAPPs mission to СAPPcreate a safe and inclusive environment for all students and all skills to use jiu jitsu as an expressive art form and self-defense, live the virtues of perseverance, respect discipline and benevolence.СAPP
СAPPWe offer a platform to practice those techniques on a regular basis,СAPP he said. СAPPWhat I really like about the club is we offer a platform for anyone of any skill level to come in and learn these self-defense techniques so it becomes muscle memory and you can execute it every time.
"ItСAPPs also a great stress reducer. I think, as students, we spend lots of time worrying about schoolwork and jiu jitsu offers a way to physically work through ways of problem-solving.СAPP
