Signature Spotlight on Spencer Frandsen

Students across campus are striving to make the most of their time in college with what University President David Pershing calls "a genuine and deep engagement outside the classroom" or what is more commonly known as the U Signature Experience. But how are students initiating their own experiences? For economics major Spencer Frandsen, it was a combination of being at the right place at the right time that led to his experiences with the Utah Community Research Group and his internships with Launch Leads and Emperitas.

At the same time that he was working on his bachelor's degree, Frandsen was also training interns from the U. After training interns for two companies and networking with various people, he stumbled upon the student-led group known as the Utah Community Research Group. His involvement with UCRG led to his internship opportunity that is currently training him on advanced econometrics, statistical analysis and market research.

When asked what made him decide to take part in these particular experiences, Frandsen said, "I was determined to get everything out of my degree that I could. I wanted job skills that would put me ahead of the average graduate. I also really enjoy working with and helping people, and teaching is incredibly rewarding."

Frandsen emphasizes the importance of these experiences by saying, "They give real life training and preparation that no class can replicate. Furthermore, relationships are formed that can last a lifetime and lead to many new doors being opened in life."

Economics graduate instructor Luciano Pesci has much to say on Frandsen's performance throughout these experiences. "As Frandsen's instructor of American Industrialization & Economic Development (ECON 5470), I saw him apply his academic skills to his UROP paper, 3D Printers & the Looming Industrial Revolution. As his instructor for the Utah Community Research Group (ECON 5960), I saw his analytical business prowess as he modeled message-based choice behavior for Backcountry.com's subscribers. And as the Director of Research for Emperitas Service Group, I have seen Frandsen transform from an intern analyst to a project leader helping Utah Business Magazine segment their readers. He is passionate about his work, and has accomplished all of this while balancing life as a new father. He is a model of the quality our college produces, and I predict Spencer Frandsen will be a big name in our college's history."