Allison Von Borstel

Allison Von Borstel

Class Year

’15

Current home

Chicago, Illinois

Major(s)

Economics, International Political Economy

Current Position

Senior Economic Modeler at Nielsen

Graduating from Carthage in 2015 with degrees in economics and international political economy, Allison Von Borstel currently works as a Senior Economic Modeler at Nielsen in Chicago, Illinois. 

After graduating from Carthage, Allison attended the University of Chicago where she studied applying quantitative analysis to public policy.

“I knew beginning college that I wanted to explore my different interests in an environment that was small enough to truly be called a community. Looking back, Carthage was just that.”

Allison Von Borstel, ’15

What have you enjoyed most about your career?

“I’ve loved being able to work in different sectors and using the tools I learned at Carthage to solve problems at work.”

How has your liberal arts education benefitted you?

“It’s hard to narrow in on an example that helped me the most, so I’ll provide an example that was fun to experience. While at a tea experience in Prague, I was able to follow along during an explanation of the nuanced attributes of each variety of tea (because I had studied tea in a J-Term course at Carthage) and also help translate for some travelers next to me (because of my language classes at Carthage).”

Why did you choose Carthage?

“I chose Carthage because of its focus on a liberal arts education. I began Carthage intent on a biology degree, but I discovered the alluring world of international relations and economics. In between, I had the opportunity to take part in an acting course, dive into the world of Dante, decipher financial securities, and discover the science behind tea. I knew beginning college that I wanted to explore my different interests in an environment that was small enough to truly be called a community. Looking back, Carthage was just that.”

What opportunities were made possible because of your Carthage experience?

“The interdisciplinary nature of my courses gave me the opportunity to see the world through different lenses, challenge preconceived thoughts, and to articulate my advice. It also gave me the confidence to explore different sectors and follow my interests — which has shown me that a winding road is indeed an interesting and rewarding path.

“Also, because of my experience at Carthage, I was able to pursue many graduate school opportunities. I chose to continue my education at the University of Chicago where I built upon my Carthage experience by applying quantitative analysis to public policy.”

What Carthage professors played a part in your success and how?

“I was fortunate to have so many professors that were truly influential in not only my time at Carthage, but my success afterward. My faculty advisors, Professor Arthur Cyr and Professor Edward Montanaro, supported my ambitions not only with their time but also with their recommendations and counsel on opportunities that followed Carthage. Professors outside my major, like Professor Stephanie Mitchell, Professor Jean Quasnock, Professor Dan Choffnes, Professor Julio Rivera, Professor Seemee Ali, Professor Michael McShane, Professor Joseph Wall, and Professor Gregory Woodward, also played an invaluable role in my success and character development. They supported me through my many interests and reminded me that, while I was uncertain about which path to choose beyond Carthage, I had the toolset to succeed.”

What role have the values in Carthage's mission, "Seeking Truth, Building Strength, Inspiring Service — Together" played in your life?

“In a world where ‘fake news’ has become a household term, Carthage’s values remain more important than ever. They’re reflected in my daily life with me doing my due diligence to repeat only sourced information, and by becoming a mentor to others in hopes of inspiring further service.”


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