My name is Zach Dowling. I currently attend Central Michigan University and am working towards getting my degree in Accounting. I only have two more semesters left, which is very bittersweet, so I’m trying to make the most of it while I’m still here. Once I have my degree, I hope to pass my CPA exam and practice public accounting, specifically the auditing side of things. Along with numbers, I also love the outdoors. When I can some free time, I’m usually outside fishing with my friends. I also have a passion for knowledge and learning new things, and definitely have an entrepreneurial mind set, so I’m excited for this class, especially because we get a say in what we learn.
Specifically, I would like to learn about how small businesses, such as mom and pop shops actually affect our economy. Someday I hope to own my own business so any information there would be very beneficial. A certain sector I’d like to learn more about, although, this may be out of the realm of possibility for a public school, would be the legal marijuana market in states like Colorado or California. I’ve heard all sorts of positive things, but I’m sure there is some bias to them, so how does the legal sale of marijuana actually affect the economy on a macro or micro scale? I’m also curious about the affect that the black market has on the economy. I’ve heard up to 30% of transactions occur where it is impossible to track the economic impact it has on our economy. Lastly, I hope to learn some about how the oil market works. I know it is very complicated and prices can fluculate quite easily, but it would be nice to have a better understanding.
Overall, I’m excited about the class, and am curious to see what I’ll learn.

Thanks, Zach