![Student smiles into the camera.](https://www.colorado.edu/research/studiolab/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/people/tyler_benefiel.jpg?itok=3YCP38eq)
As I have settled into finding a passion in college, my interests have consistently shifted toward public policy reform and helping people. Economics has guided me through how policy change affects people and changes lives, but my experience with change has only been guided by theory. Doing economic research and continuing to develop economic progress has pushed me to want quantitative answers for why people do what they do and how different policies can help. Participating in the Studio Lab program will help connect me to the real-life applications that I want to be a part of and hopefully influence the progression of the field. I hope to attend a Ph.D. program and achieve my doctorate in economics, and interacting with high level professors and getting hands-on research experience in the field will greatly help me to achieve these goals and help people in the future.
I hope one day to study and quantify economic struggle and propose solutions that have real impacts on people who have poor projected outcomes. I believe that economic reform is the best way to increase equity and provide equal opportunities for all people. Volunteering with A Precious Child has helped me visualize the impact of poor economic policy and made me more passionate about helping as many people as I can. It is my goal to support the next generation in having as best possible outcomes to turn around the poverty epidemic in the United States and set a path for future generations to succeed.