Economics major Reem Sabha has a great sense of humor – especially for a student of the so-called “dismal science.” At a recent event for the Economics Undergraduate Mentorship Program, in which she has participated as a mentee for two years, she gave a talk to current and prospective mentors about the impact her participation in the program has had on her personal and professional goals.
“I think the UW Economics Department should work with any connections it has at Nike to get a license for a “Just Graph It” logo,” she quipped. “Instead of the Nike Swoosh, we’d have a supply-and-demand graph. But that’s just my opinion.”
After several meetings with her mentor, Sabha continues, “Now I can have lengthy conversations with my non-econ friends about CDOs and subprime mortgages. And by conversations I mean that I talk and they listen.”
And people do listen to this charismatic and talkative “Husky for life” who loves Harry Potter, MS Excel, traveling (she jetted off to Denmark, solo, over spring break last month), and the University of Washington. Sabha is a recipient of the 2017 Husky 100 award, which recognizes UW students making the most of their Husky Experience. Husky 100 students are leaders, opportunity-seekers, and advocates for social good on campus and in their communities.
“I am humbled to be part of this cohort with so many other amazing UW students,” she said of the honor.
Sabha has worked for more than a year as a campus tour guide for prospective students and their families, a program featured just this week in a Seattle Times article – the perfect job for someone who loves to talk and loves UW.
“It’s not “just” a campus job,” she says of the experience. “It's a way to make a difference, it's a community, it's a family.” Undoubtedly she’s got some great one-liners about campus life that she brings out for the parents’ benefit.
A native of Vancouver, Washington, Sabha does indeed seem to make the most of her time at UW. As well as participating in the mentorship program, she is on the Board of UW Women in Economics, an outreach group providing opportunities for professional and personal development for women studying economics or working in related fields. When she’s not coming up with great ideas for networking and recognition of women economists, she’s managing the group’s social media presence.
While working toward her Bachelor of Science in Economics – the more mathematically rigorous and competitive of our degree options - Sabha is also in the University Honors Program and volunteers as a peer mentor and educator through Honors 100, a mandatory seminar for new Honors students. She is a committee member for the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Council and is involved with ASUW’s Middle Eastern Student Commission and Budget & Finance Committee.
An enthusiastic advocate for Economics, Sabha has filmed informational videos about the department’s outreach efforts and was interviewed for a recent College of Arts & Sciences story about the mentorship program, “Been there, done that: Alumni mentors help students prepare for Economics careers.”
Sabha will graduate in June and begin the Boeing Business Skills Rotation Program, a full-time, salaried employee position for new graduates with rotations in global business areas like financial planning, accounting, contracts, and estimating. No doubt she will make a name for herself there very quickly, and hopefully continue to see the humor in life.
You can support students like Reem and programs like the Undergraduate Mentorship Program by making a gift to the Friends of Economics Fund.