Catherine Hayden

Catherine Hayden’s journey through Cal Poly’s MSQE program reflects her dedication to mastering quantitative economics. A native of Los Altos, CA, Catherine pursued both her B.S. in Economics (2021) and M.S. in Quantitative Economics (2022) at Cal Poly, drawn by the rigorous curriculum and the opportunity to remain in beautiful San Luis Obispo.

“The program’s focus on econometric and statistical methods gave me a leg up professionally,” Catherine shared. “The concepts we studied are things I use daily as a Data Scientist and Econometrician.”

During her time in the MSQE program, Catherine worked as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant for several Economics professors. These roles honed her ability to solve complex econometric problems and communicate technical concepts effectively. Her favorite courses were in the Advanced Econometrics series, which provided hands-on experience with programming and modeling. “These tough assignments brought the cohort together and prepared me significantly for my career,” she explained.

Outside of academics, Catherine embraced the opportunities to collaborate with her peers and enjoy the Central Coast lifestyle. Her achievements included being named Outstanding Graduate Student by the Orfalea College of Business for the 2021-2022 academic year, recognizing her hard work and commitment to the program.

Since graduating, Catherine has advanced in her career at Tinuiti in San Francisco, where she currently serves as a Senior Econometrician. She applies her skills to building econometric products and delivering impactful insights in the industry.

Catherine’s advice to incoming students? “Embrace the challenging courses, spend time with your cohort, and make the most of your time in San Luis Obispo.”

Looking ahead, Catherine aims to continue her successful career in econometrics while exploring new ways to innovate and contribute to her field.

This profile was published in the Winter of 2024.