Salisbury University’s College Fed Challenge team attended Open House 2025 on February 7 at the new William McChesney Martin Jr. Building— the Federal Reserve’s headquarters in Washington, DC. The six-member team—Zachary Harris (Team Captain), Darby Trout, Joe Enfinger, Janelle Armstrong, Claudio Garcia, and Dr. Ying Wu (Faculty Adviser)—networked with other teams, Fed economists, and research assistants.
Three Fed economists shared insights on the judges’ roles and provided practical tips for future competitors, while additional speakers discussed monetary policy, reserve bank operations, and payment systems, sparking excitement for Fed Challenge 2025.
The SU team was particularly interested in a panel featuring five former Fed Challenge participants now working as research assistants at the Fed. “They stressed the importance of practicing with different coding languages and highlighted a summer prep course that builds proficiency in RStudio and Python,” said Harris. Garcia added, “I was delighted to meet participants from other schools and hear Fed RAs share insights about their projects and experiences. Their perspectives on the Fed’s mission, operations, and career paths were invaluable.”
The day’s highlight came at 1 p.m. when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell unexpectedly delivered a brief, upbeat speech. “One memorable moment was Chair Powell’s impromptu visit,” recalled Garcia, “He shared his personal journey in economics and demonstrated how a career in policymaking can be both fascinating and fulfilling. This experience has strengthened my enthusiasm for economics, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned in the next Fed Challenge.” Darby Trout added, “After following his every move during FOMC meetings, seeing him speak in person was unforgettable. The visit reinforced our passion for economic policy and highlighted future opportunities. The Fed Challenge isn’t just a competition—it’s a stepping stone to our careers.” Joe Enfinger concluded, “This event was both inspiring and essential to my pursuit of a career as an economist.”