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Melissa Sun is a budget analyst in The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), part of the Executive Branch in Rhode Island’s state government. She says, “we help administer the Governor’s goals. My work greatly varies based on what stage of the fiscal year we are in. Depending on the day, I could be analyzing agency budgets and recommending changes to align with the administration’s priorities, writing fiscal notes to inform the legislature on budgetary impacts of proposed legislation, attending legislative hearings, or interacting with financial staff across state government.”
As a student, she interned as a research assistant at the Donahue Institute, where she says she learned how to conduct research, become resourceful when looking for answers, and explore various policy interests.
While at UMass, Melissa:
- worked in the Learning Resource Center as an Economics tutor
- was a research assistant in the EURA program with Dr. Vicarelli
- was part of SBS Momentum in her senior year
She says this about these experiences, “I worked at the Learning Resource Center as an Economics tutor! It really helped me understand how to communicate complicated concepts to a variety of different people. Now in my job, I have to discuss topics with agency CFOs, my boss, and my coworkers who may not necessarily have the same background context as me. Having that experience of framing things from others’ perspectives has made it a lot easier. I also was as a research assistant in the EURA program with Dr. Vicarelli. This project jump started my interest in sustainability economics. My agency portfolio mostly consists of natural resource agencies, so I work with concepts I was introduced to through this program being implemented in the state through the budget and legislation. My senior year I joined SBS Momentum which was run by Malika Amandi and Felicia Griffin-Fennell. Having a group of peers and mentors to guide me through the job hunt and interview process was immensely helpful.”
