ANDRÉ KURMANN > Professor | Economy
From: Willisau (LU), Switzerland.
Work: Associate Professor of Economics (LeBow College of Business, Drexel University, Philadelphia).
Hobbies: Running, soccer, and eating (good food).
Recent book: Endurance by John Kelly (Astronaut).
Favorite food from Switzerland: Raclette.
Favorite spot in Switzerland: Zermatt.
How did you get started in teaching, specifically what drew you to the field of Economics?
I got my start in teaching while doing my Ph.D. in the U.S. at The University of Virginia. What drew me to economics was my interest in trying to understand how the world works.
What was the biggest obstacle in your career and how did you overcome it?
I have been lucky in the sense that I have not experienced major obstacles as some people have had in their lives. My biggest “obstacle” — but I think this applies to many people doing a Ph.D. — was having to learn how to focus on one particular question and to become as proficient as possible in that subject. This is difficult when you are interested in many different areas of economics.
Why did you choose Pennsylvania?
It was random. My first job as a professor out of graduate school was in Montreal. I moved to Philadelphia for a sabbatical at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for what was supposed to be 9 months. But then I met my future spouse in Philadelphia and we ended up making it our permanent home after a couple of years in Washington, D.C. What drew us back to Philadelphia was the density of Center City with its many cultural attractions as well as the many friends we have here.
What do you believe is the most important quality to have as a professor of economics?
To be a professor in economics you must be able to abstract from details that, while really interesting, are not imperative for the big picture. I am saying this because the world is incredibly complex with many factors influencing economic outcomes. But we think there are some key driving forces and zeroing in on these drivers can be very hard. It takes experience and the ability to step back and ask big questions.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
I’ve received a piece of advice recently by reading a book called Deep Work by Cal Newport. The advice is not to get distracted, to do what the author calls “deep work.“ This is especially true in the current world of social media in which news arrive incessantly, pulling our attention away from what we have set out to accomplish. Not to get distracted is really important to do good work.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Although people in my profession move quite frequently, I see myself still in Philadelphia and still being a professor. My wife is also a professor and we have a 6-year old who just started kindergarten. Once you have a family with two careers in the same place, moving becomes more complicated. But you never know…perhaps we’ll even move back to Switzerland! Professionally I hope to continue doing research that impacts policymakers and helps them make more informed decisions. That becoming may mean to become more involved with giving actual policy advice — something that I am interested in and was able to experience firsthand while working for the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C.
What do you miss most about Switzerland?
I miss the excellent public transportation system. Trains and buses are on time, they run frequently, and they are modern. This makes it easy for people to travel to work and it improves productivity. It is a far cry from the infrastructure here in the U.S. of which certain parts have come to a breaking point.
What can the U.S. learn from Switzerland?
Apart from better appreciating the value of a good public transportation system in high-density places such as the East Coast, the U.S. could learn from Switzerland’s apprenticeship system. It is an excellent way of inserting young people into the workforce and equip them with the necessary skills. Switzerland also has great options for continuing education, which is very important in today’s fast-changing world of international competition.
What can Switzerland learn from the U.S.?
Swiss people could learn from the enthusiasm that Americans have. Americans are not afraid to fail, they just go for it. In Switzerland, I feel, people are more afraid of the unknown, which prevents them from exploring new opportunities.
To find out more about André Kurmann, please visit his website.
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Thank you!