By Andrew Nonnemacher and Andy Baker
When Parker White (CU, 鈥�22) transferred to CU in 2020, he had been avoiding math classes for years. He hated math, but to major in Political Science at CU, he could not avoid 鈥淧SCI 2075: Quantitative Research Methods,鈥� the required introductory statistics class. Already juggling a busy schedule as a member of the Army鈥檚 ROTC program, he reluctantly enrolled in PSCI 2075, which at the time was taught by a recent CU Ph.D., Pavel Bacovksy (CU, 鈥�20). In the end, not only did Parker excel in and enjoy 2075, but the course changed how he viewed and practiced Political Science. One year later he wrote and defended a Political Science honors thesis in which, at his own choosing, he used advanced statistics!
Parker wrote his thesis, 鈥淓xamining the Relationship Between Culture and Trade,鈥� under the guidance of CU Associate Professor of Political Science . In it, Parker explores the relationship between a country鈥檚 culture and its trade with foreign countries. For the most part, political scientists and economists understand trade flows between nations as the result of a cold economic calculus鈥攊nternational companies go where production costs are lowest, and they, along with consumers, buy goods from wherever they are cheapest. But Parker found that a surprising non-economic rationale also underlies international trade flows. In particular, religious countries, all else equal, tend to have less trade with foreign countries than do secular countries. One of the challenges in writing his thesis was measuring the slippery concepts of culture and religion, but Parker figured out how to do so statistically with the lessons he learned from 2075.
Writing an honors thesis was not the only fulfilling experience Parker had as an undergraduate at CU. Of course, surviving the daily rigors of the ROTC training program was among them. But he also earned direct experience in the policy world. Most importantly, he interned in the Denver office of a US Senator, earning CU credit for doing so. He also worked remotely as a Project Manager for the Prysm Institute, a virtual accelerator in Chicago, developing business relationships and conducting financial and public policy analysis (using those skills he acquired in 2075!). Finally, along with all 15 Political Science senior honors students, Parker received a Tracey R. Kreps Memorial Scholarship鈥攆rom a financial gift made to the Political Science department鈥攖o support his honors research and coursework during his senior year.
According to Parker, CU Political Science set him up well to succeed on the job market after graduation. Although he transferred in 2020 from a much smaller college, Parker says the attention and opportunities he received from CU faculty and other mentors鈥攖he honors program, statistics tutoring, internship opportunities鈥攚ere superior. Parker adds, 鈥淧olitical science sometimes has a reputation of not giving students great job opportunities right after graduation. But at CU, if you take your courses seriously and take advantage of the many hands-on learning experiences, you will have just as many opportunities as engineering and business majors.鈥� As evidence, in August Parker started a position working for the Colorado state government as the Legislative Liaison and Public Information Officer for the Colorado Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, a job that capitalizes on the policy, military, and statistical experiences he had at CU. He is also commissioning as an officer in the Colorado Army National Guard. Congratulations, Parker, on your successes! We wish you the best in your career pursuits!