In the final episode of Markets & Motives, Dr Karen Hooper, Commissioner for the Queensland Productivity Commission, joins Queensland Young Economist Briana Long to share her career journey and insights into the opportunities an economics education can provide.

Dr Hooper reflects on how studying economics shaped her path from uncertainty in high school to a diverse career across public policy and economic institutions. She discusses how economics can open doors to a wide range of career pathways, the importance of finding purpose in your career, and how economic thinking contributes to real-world decisions that shape communities.

Throughout the conversation, Dr Hooper highlights the practical application of economics to everyday issues, the value of strong communication and analytical skills, and how economics can be used to make a meaningful impact.

As the final episode in the Markets & Motives series, this discussion brings together the key themes explored throughout the podcast — showcasing the breadth of opportunities available to students and the many directions an economics education can lead.

This episode is ideal for students, parents, and educators interested in understanding how economics can open doors to diverse and impactful careers.

Careers in economics don’t always follow a straight line.

In this episode of Markets & Motives, Dr Fraser Thompson, Co-founder and Managing Director at Cyan Ventures, joins Young Economist Morgan Richards to share his career journey across global development, consulting, sustainability and venture capital.

From working at the World Bank and McKinsey to helping deliver large-scale clean energy projects, Dr Fraser explains how studying economics gave him the skills to tackle real-world challenges and work across different industries.

The conversation explores how economists are contributing to the clean energy transition, why careers don’t need to follow a straight path, and how economics provides a toolkit for understanding complex problems and making impactful decisions.

Dr Fraser also shares advice for students considering economics and highlights how the discipline can open doors to a wide range of opportunities beyond traditional “desk-based” roles.

This episode is ideal for students, educators and anyone curious about where economics can lead.

In Episode 4 of Markets & Motives, Peggy Schrobback, Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO Agriculture and Food, joins the podcast to discuss how economics sits at the centre of scientific research and decision-making in Australia’s food industry.
Interviewed by Young Economist Ryan Clayden-Zabik, Peggy reflects on her remarkable journey from growing up on her parents’ subsistence farm, to arriving in Australia by chance during her travels, and later pursuing a PhD focused on the oyster industry.
Throughout the conversation, Peggy shares insights from her career in applied science, including her transition into research at CSIRO and the responsibilities she manages as a senior scientist. She discusses how her work supports Australia’s food and agriculture sectors, balancing the demands of her professional role while raising a family and contributing to research that strengthens the resilience and productivity of the nation’s food systems.
The episode also explores how economics plays a critical role in guiding decisions in science and industry from resource allocation to industry development and how collaboration between economists and scientists helps deliver better outcomes for Australia’s agriculture and food industries.
This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of economics, science and public impact, and how research helps shape a stronger and more sustainable food future for Australia.