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Economist with City of Seattle Budget Office - Tom Kirn

1. Description of current work.

My principal responsibility is to monitor, forecast, and provide policy advice and analysis on the City's sales and B&O taxes. Revenues from these taxes fluctuate significantly with changing economic conditions. I have developed economic models that model the relationship between economic conditions and sales and B&O tax revenue. I use these models to forecast future tax revenue for City budgeting purposes. I also provide research and analytical support to City officials on local economic issues (such as housing affordability issues).

2. What drew you into geography?

I have always been interested in traveling and studying urban environments. I also worked as a planner, and I wanted to understand the economic foundations of cities.

3. Describe your education in geography.

M.A., California State, Northridge; Ph.D. UW.

4. Are you currently in a job where you find your training in geography is useful?

As an economic geographer, I have found analytical, economic, and statistical skills to be in demand. My UW education has been essential to my ability to do the type of work I have done since graduating. It's not just the specific skills, but learning how to solve problems, think analytically (and conceptually), work independently, and perform research that have been valuable.

5. Did you work as an intern while in college? Was it a valuable experience you would recommend to others?

I had an internship with the Washington Department of Trade and Economic Development.

6. How did you find out about your current position?

A City employee with whom I had worked as a consultant notified me about the opening.

7. Are you working with other geographers in your organization?

I sometimes work with geographers in the Planning Department.

8. If there is potential for professional growth with your current employer, what kind of a career path is it?

Yes. I'm always learning. I need to understand the local, regional and national economies and they are always changing.

9. What advice would you give to college seniors about their prospects with a geography degree in hand?

My training was in economic geography with a focus on regional analysis. This training, with its economic, analytical and statistical foci, provides skills of value in the financial, planning, and economic fields.

10. Please describe your career path up to this point.

After working as an intern, my supervisor left to open a consulting business and invited me to work with him. I later came to work for the City.

11. What do you anticipate that your career path will be in the next 10 years or more?

I'll probably stay in this line of work.

12. What do you wish someone had told you when you were in college?

Just having a degree is valuable. Rightly or wrongly, it is a screening device for employers seeking employees. I think it's important to study something that interests you, rather than studying something you may not find interesting just so that you can get a job.

Tom is willing to answer other occasional questions as they come up. If you have questions, please ask in the Geography Advising Office (415 Smith) for his contact information.

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Geographers:

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at work