Why statistics and econometrics? More about my story
How to get interested in statistics and more specifically (time series) econometrics? Well, one partial answer is to come our courses at the UTU! These courses and our research are introduced more detail here: econometrics.utu.fi
In more general perspectives, for a student oriented in time series analysis and econometrics, the goal is to analyze time-dependent observations in applications not only in social sciences but also other disciplines. Our courses are especially suitable for students majoring in statistics who are studying economics (financial economics, macroeconomics and actuarial/financial mathematics) as a minor. Similarly, courses are suitable and recommended specifically for students majoring in macro and financial economics and applied mathematics (such as insurance and financial mathematics). In our courses and research attempts, we aim to also bring modern statistical/machine learning flavor to these topics.
Why to study time series analysis and econometrics? Study motivation can be instigated by factors such as the following
Time series econometrics (theory and applications) is exciting.
Its applications often have societal significance.
Experts of econometric methods have generally found work very well.
One example to get interested in these topics is the following (UTU econometrics team members hoped these somewhat more personal insights here!). The major turning point for me turned out to be the New Year’s Eve 1992/1993 when my uncle, in his stylish way (!), drew the newly started English Premier League table (here the table and highlights of the followed TV match, my first one and here (2022) documentary on the decisive moment of that season) and introduced the 13-match 1-X-2 football pool betting called Vakioveikkaus.
My interest on football statistics have gradually then developed from Poisson distribution (to predict match outcomes) to econometrics and economic & financial applications already well before the start as a student at the Univ. of Helsinki (2002). Long traditions of (time series) econometrics research in Finland provided, and hopefully still provide in the coming times, excellent opportunities to study these topics.
Anyway, no tips for the coming matches! Do your own research! All in all, one day again, instructions given by the King himself on the right will be perfectly valid again!
Indeed, my supposedly lifelong passion towards these topics, and football and a few other sports, is coming from there now 30 years ago combined with statistics. In addition to lecture rooms and Zoom, and some biking and cross-country skiing exercise, it is possible to spot me sitting in the stands of legendary venues Old Trafford and Pihkala stadium (if you are wondering what is this ball game, finnish baseball is summarized well here and here).