Spotlighted Economics Student: Allyson Lynch '21
Allyson's thesis will look at the effect of player development on college coaches’ salaries. The debate centers around if these individuals are worth what they cost their employer and if their high salary is at the expense of those below them.
When looking at colleges, Economics Major Allyson Lynch ’21 pursued strong academics and the opportunity to play on a Division III field hockey team. Haverford’s close proximity to Philadelphia, and being close to her Broadlands, Virginia home, made it even more appealing.
Even though the weather was dreadful during her overnight visit, she was confident that Haverford was where she belonged. She looked forward to joining the hockey team, participating in small classes, and working closely with faculty during the thesis process. In addition to majoring in Economics, Allyson will matriculate with Minors in Statistics and in Classical Culture and Society.
Initially planning on majoring in chemistry, she spent her freshman year primarily focused on that course of study. The same year she took Introduction to Economics with Professor David Owens and she felt energized with how the material resonated with her interests. Allyson liked learning about regressions, mathematical applications in economics, and how widely applicable the discipline is. She was profoundly intrigued. In fact, Allyson is currently a Teaching Assistant for Professor Owens.
One of her favorite classes, a course that clinched her decision to major in economics, is Professor Shannon Mudd’s Impact Investing elective. It combines Haverford’s ideals of social justice and making positive change, while harnessing economic approaches. Allyson currently collaborates with Professor Mudd on the Student Impact Investing Board (SIIB) which manages the class portfolio. She helps screen investment opportunities and monitors two of the companies in which investments are made.
Summer internships have complemented Allyson’s educational experience. The summer following her first year she lived on campus. Working in the lab doing research with chemistry Professor Joshua Schrier, she was tasked with statistical analysis and computer programming. In fact, she co-authored a paper that was published in Nature on this research!
The following summer she lived in New York City employed as a Quality Equities and High-Yield Credit Intern at Investec Asset Management. She spent her time analyzing business models, financials, and key market drivers. At the same time Allyson completed a rigorous 4-week training program with Girls Who Invest, an intensive program focused on core investment concepts and skills.
Last summer she returned to New York City working as a Private Equity Intern for Aquiline Capital Partners. Allyson put her quantitative and qualitative analysis skills to use, working on market trends, prospective deals and sourcing new investments. After she graduates Allyson will return to Aquiline hired in a two-year program performing research and financial analysis. Congratulations Allyson!!
Her thesis “will look at the effect of player development on college coaches’ salaries. In the labor market it is hard to measure and explain manager pay with standardized metrics. The debate centers around if these individuals are worth what they cost their employer and if their high salary is at the expense of those below them. [She] will be looking at college football coaches because they are highly paid managers with data on their performance, and players performance. [She] will attempt to determine if college football coaches are compensated in their salary for developing the quality of their players from recruitment to draft which should improve winning percentage beyond game-time coaching decisions.”
In addition to her scholastic achievements, since her first year Allyson has played on the women’s field hockey team, also representing the team as Captain. She is a fund manager for the Haverford Student Investment Portfolio, and on the board of the Haverford Finance Initiative. She serves on the Committee on Student Standing and she works in the Admissions Office as a tour guide.
Last semester Allyson took a leave of absence from Haverford working as a part-time Investment Associate for the De-carceration Fund, advancing fundraising efforts. She also manufactures presentation materials geared at industry research and outreach and writes investment recommendations. She plans to continue her work there until she graduates.
