John Travlos
John Travlos
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, '23
Hometown:
Glenview, Ill.
What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
I enjoy running, biking and going to the beach. I love being outside so I always look forward to doing any outside activity.
Why did you choose to major in Economics?
I will answer this question through a quote from the conversation I had with Chairman Powell (Jerome Hayden Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve). I asked him, “What is one piece of advice you would give to a college student?” and he answered, “Do not study knowledge, but study what is useful. Economics is useful because you are studying the science of policy.” In other words, I am studying economics because I am gaining a better understanding of public policy and it provides me with many useful skills such as analyzing data, critical thinking, writing and developing quantitative skills.
What has been your favorite Economics class so far?
ECO 398: Topics in Health Economics has been my favorite economics class so far. Learning about different types of health care systems gave me new insights into the health care sector, and the information we were learning was very applicable to current events.
What kind of job do you hope to get after graduation?
I hope to work in government. Working for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or the Federal Reserve would be the dream.
Have you had an internship?
I am currently interning for the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) at their Broker-Dealers Examination Office in Chicago. The Broker-Dealers Examination program is responsible for investigating broker-dealer firms in their day-to-day securities transactions. My role entails conducting legal analysis, researching regulatory issues and preparing memoranda identifying key developments among firms.
During the summer of 2021, I was a financial institution and policy intern with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. I worked in the Reserve Bank and Operation Payments Systems (RBOPS), specifically in the CASH division. The team I worked for is called the Currency Education Program (CEP) which is responsible for deterring circulation of U.S. currency counterfeit through currency education. My role entailed fielding public inquiries about currency, assisting in outreach to central banks internationally, writing letters to commercial banks, publishing articles on the U.S. Coin Task Force website about banks assisting in coin circulation, and I even met with Chairman Powell too!
In addition, I had an internship during my sophomore year with the U.S. Department of State as a language intern. My role entailed virtually meeting with diplomates multiple times a week and assisting them in their learning of the Greek language and Greek-Cypriot economic affairs, so that they can be properly prepared to work at U.S. embassies in Greece and Cyprus.
What do you hope to achieve as a student ambassador?
I really want to strengthen the economics community at DePaul. Economics is the best major with the most opportunities. I love studying economics and I want to share my amazing experience here with everyone. My goal this year is to enhance the DePaul economics community by creating stronger relations among economics students and assisting any students in attaining internships.
Why did you choose DePaul?
Multiple reasons. All my classes are taught by professors. I have close relationships with many of my professors and at many schools you do not see that. In addition, the quarter system gives me flexibility with my schedule. I am able to work, go to class, do activities and go out with my friends without feeling pressured from school. Also, living in Chicago gives you so many work opportunities.
I am currently interning for the SEC Chicago office during the school year. Most people in college cannot do an internship during the school year because the semester system does not allow it or they do not live in a big city. At DePaul you get best of both worlds. A quarter system that encourages you to work while you’re in school, and a big city that presents many opportunities for internships during the school year.