Jason Cairns
Major/Department:
Economics
Minor/Department:
Political Science, Sociology
Research project or internship/co-op experience:
I have been doing research with Dr. Bob Slonim and Dr. Eric Bettinger in the economics department since my first year (studying the impact of emotions on intertemporal choice and altruistic behavior). I am also working on my honors thesis in economics.
Extracurricular interests:
President of Phi Alpha Delta (pre-law fraternity), Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics honor society), Mock Trial, playing guitar and bass.
Hometown:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Biography:
I have always been fascinated by the social sciences and wanted to study them as an undergraduate. The social sciences departments at Case have more than satisfied that interest. With the great education Case has provided me, I plan to become a lawyer and hope to one day work as a judge.
Why did you choose to attend Case?:
I was accepted into the Pre-Professional Scholars Program (PPSP) for law, which was a huge incentive for me to attend. This program allows me the freedom to choose whichever undergraduate major I wish to pursue and then guarantees my admission to Case’s law school upon graduation. I also really liked the flexibility Case provides its students when selecting a major. Case has open acceptance to all of their schools, which means that at any point, I could elect to change my major to business management or engineering without any hassle. Overall, Case was simply the best fit for me.
What do you like best about Case?:
I love the individualized attention I get from Case’s faculty. I have never met a Case professor that was unapproachable and have always been comfortable asking for extra help in a course or for academic advising. I have actually become friends with a few professors where the relationship feels much more like an equal-peer relationship than a professor-student relationship—which is really awesome to have with a professor.
What's it like to live in Cleveland?:
What I love most about Cleveland is that almost every rock band on tour has a show in Cleveland, which means that there are always tons of concerts to attend. My friends who attend schools in smaller cities are always jealous of Cleveland’s music scene.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student at Case?:
My biggest challenge as a Case student has been finding a balance between work, extracurricular activities and hanging out with friends. There are so many student clubs I’ve wanted to join and fun activities happening on campus that I’ve wanted to attend that I have to say no to things I wish I could do but don’t have time for. Finding that perfect balance between everything I want to do continues to be a huge challenge.
What do you do for fun on the weekends?:
My absolute favorite thing to do on the weekend is go to a punk-rock concert and then get food at IHOP or Taco Bell afterwards with my friends.
Describe the best professor you've had at Case. What made him or her special?:
The best professor I’ve had at Case is Professor Slonim. During my freshman year, he offered me a job as his research assistant in the economics department, which has provided me with my most valuable academic learning experiences at Case. Additionally, he and I have developed a peer relationship where I feel comfortable getting his advice on topics beyond academics.
What do you plan to do after graduation, and how has Case helped you reach that goal?:
After graduation, I plan to take a year off to travel and play music. I then plan to attend law school, work as a lawyer and hopefully become a judge. Case has provided me with a great social sciences education as well as opportunities to exercise leadership and organizational skills. I believe my experience at Case will prove very useful to me as both a lawyer and judge.
