Kristi-Warren (Scott) Bishop

Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

Senior economist uses skills she learned as a Ph.D. student every day in her role with the federal government

Major/year graduated

Ph.D., Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics, 2015

Current occupation/location

Senior Economist & Data Team Lead, Office of Management & Budget, Executive Office of the President, Washington, D.C.

What do you love about your current role?

I’ve got the great privilege to work in public service at the center of government. I’m in health policy and get to do work that has a positive impact on the lives of the American people. It’s the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. 

How did your time at FACS help prepare you for your life or career?:

Every single technical skill I use in my current role, I’ve developed during my time in FACS. 

What advice would you give current students who aspire to a similar career?

FACS students wanting to affect policy at any level of government could benefit from building relationships beyond FACS, reaching across disciplines to develop policy analysis skills in addition to the technical and subject matter expertise developed in FACS. A diversified toolkit will only help in advancing your career in policy after UGA. 

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were a student?

As a Ph.D. student who did not want to pursue a career in academia, I wish I’d known to “diversify my toolkit” sooner in my tenure. I’d have taken additional classes and built more relationships in SPIA and Terry’s MMR programs to better prepare me for a career in federal public service.