From Curiosity to Calling, Discovering Economics Online

April 21, 2026

When Maya Clark logged into her Economics for Leaders virtual program, she was curious. 

By the end of the summer, she had found her calling.  A junior at Jones College Prep High School in Chicago, Maya now describes economics as her special interest. But that passion did not begin years ago. It began with one online course through FTE. “I kind of had an idea about economics,” she said. “But after taking the course, I was like, wow. This is actually really interesting.” 

An Online Experience That Felt Personal 

Instead, she found an interactive, engaging environment filled with breakout rooms, group discussions, games, and even EFL Bucks that incentivized participation. “The instructors made it feel really personal,” she said. “They remembered our names. We were always engaging. It felt like I was interacting normally, which isn’t something you always get with Zoom lessons.” 

Led by economics professors Anna Faria, Devon Gorry, and Debbie Henney, along with leadership instructor Kamille VanWarmerdam, the program blended economic theory with leadership discussions and meaningful conversations about real-world challenges. Students checked in daily, sharing how they were feeling and what was happening in their lives. “It was really impactful,” Maya reflected. “Seeing everyone’s perspectives from different areas of the world was so meaningful.” 

Seeing Economics Everywhere 

For Maya, economics quickly became more than a class. It became a lens. She is especially fascinated by behavioral economics and the psychology behind decision making. Now, she notices incentives and framing everywhere, from advertising strategies to public transit messaging in Chicago. “You can apply it to everything,” she said. “Even the way something is worded can change how people respond.” 

Inspired by her experience, Maya wrote a research paper exploring loss framing and how the way test questions are presented can influence student performance. Her hypothesis was confirmed: students performed better when questions were framed around losing points rather than gaining them, demonstrating how strongly people are motivated to avoid losses. “It’s amazing how such a small change in wording can make such a big difference,” she explained. Her paper is currently under review for publication. 

Turning Passion Into Action 

Maya did not stop at academic exploration. She turned her interest into impact. 

She now teaches financial literacy to students in under-resourced areas of Chicago, helping them understand budgeting, grocery decisions, and long term financial planning. Through hands-on activities, she shows how small choices, like switching brands at the grocery store, can create meaningful savings. “College is expensive,” she said. “If students understand how to manage their money now, that can make a real difference.” 

She also founded and leads the Women and Minorities in Business Club at her school, bringing in guest speakers and partnering with university mentors to expose students to career pathways in business and economics. Looking back, she credits FTE with setting everything in motion. “That program really started this interest in economics for me,” she said. “Everything kind of came after.” 

Leadership and Connection 

Beyond academics, the leadership component of the program left a strong impression. Daily discussions about emotion, perspective, and resilience helped Maya strengthen her confidence and deepen her leadership skills. “It definitely prepared me to take on bigger leadership roles,” she shared. 

Even in a virtual setting, she built lasting friendships. Students exchanged social media handles, and she still keeps up with classmates from around the country and the world. “It’s a really special kind of friendship,” she said. “You’re learning together, even if you’ve never met in person.” 

Advice for Future Students 

Maya’s advice is simple – show up fully. “Make the most of everything they throw at you,” she said. “Have an open mind. Even if it’s summer and you don’t feel like doing something academic, if you really use the opportunity, it can open so many doors.” For Maya, one online course did exactly that. 

Before last summer, Maya only had a vague idea about economics. Today, it is her passion and her calling. If you are ready to turn your curiosity into a special interest, make sure to submit your application by May 6th. We can’t wait to see what you discover. Apply Now!