Nick Hall, a Cheshire, CT native, graduated from UConn in May 2023 with a degree in Economics and Political Science and earned his Master of Public Policy a year later. Soon after his May 2024 graduation, he began a two-year research associate position with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
I knew I wanted to go beyond a bachelor’s degree.
The path to that role began years earlier, during his sophomore year of college, when Nick applied for the School of Public Policy’s 4+1 Fast-Track Program. “I knew I wanted to go beyond a bachelor’s degree,” he explained.
Starting graduate coursework as an undergrad gave Nick a head start on his master’s degree and the opportunity, in his second year, to participate in the Internship and Professional Practice (IPP) program, which provides a tuition waiver and professional experience. Nick’s IPP placement as a public policy intern in the Commissioner’s Office at the Connecticut Department of Public Health focused on health equity and data projects, drawing on his coursework in Causal Program Evaluation and Applied Policy Research.
Nick first learned about the Boston Federal Reserve’s Research Associate Program through the School of Public Policy’s career outreach emails. He also benefited from SPP’s large network of connections. “Professor Eric Brunner knew one of the economists I work with now,” he noted.
His current work – a full-time, in-person role in Boston – includes a variety of tasks, from literature reviews and coding research questions to data analysis, writing, and policy-focused projects. One project that stood out was a major report on English proficiency and labor outcomes across New England, which connected research to regional policy discussions. Training in the statistical software STATA, as well as in policy analysis and applied research methods, prepared him for these responsibilities.
The role is not without its challenges. Nick has encountered data sets so large they slow down routine tasks. These experiences have enhanced his patience and problem-solving strategies, skills he reinforced with support from colleagues.
This experience has shifted my interests toward applied research roles with direct state or national policy impact.
As his two-year program concludes in mid-2026, Nick is planning for his future. Though he initially considered pursuing a Ph.D., this experience has shifted his interests toward applied research roles with direct state or national policy impact.
Reflecting on his path, Nick encourages current and prospective SPP students to take advantage of opportunities. “Networking matters, whether with faculty or colleagues,” he advises. “Make use of SPP’s accessible and supportive environment.”