Welcome to the Department of Economics Undergraduate Counseling Office! Please see below for ways to connect with an Economics counselor.
For information about when to speak with an Economics undergraduate counselor vs. when to speak with an academic counselor in the College – please visit the website below.
https://caac.ucla.edu/about-the-center/academic-advising-in-the-college/
Contact Us
The UCLA Department of Economics undergraduate counselors are available from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., PST (except on university holidays or otherwise noted). You may contact an Economics counselor using the following options:
- Virtual Drop-In via Zoom
- Appointments via Zoom
- MyUCLA Message Center
*Please note that counseling services are meant for current students. Prospective students should contact UCLA Undergraduate Admission.
Switching or Declaring Majors
To switch to Pre-Economics, Pre-Business Economics, or Economics, please complete the Change of Major Request form and submit it to us online via the MyUCLA Message Center. The subject title should be: Change of Major Request Form.
To apply for the Business Economics major – make sure you are added to our Econ Student Listserv.
To declare a double major with two College of Letters and Science majors, please visit https://caac.ucla.edu/petitions-forms/double-major/#tab-id-3 for instructions and the appropriate forms.
Please allow at least five to ten business days for the Department to process any forms.
For additional information about our majors, our FAQs, and our Handbook, please click on the appropriate links.
Economics Undergraduate Listserv
Please make sure you are added to our Econ Student Listserv since we will try to send out updates to our students on a weekly basis.
Undergraduate Counseling Staff Members:
Julie Plotkin, Undergraduate Counselor
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism; Master of Science in Counseling (College Student Services).
About me: After deciding against becoming a sportswriter and then working in a variety of fields, including in purchasing for a cruise line and public relations, I pursued graduate education in counseling so that I could help students to become aware of the many options that they have, academically and career-wise, and to help them to succeed. I have worked at both community colleges and at UCLA. Outside of UCLA, I enjoy college football (the Bruins, in particular), the outdoors, traveling, and exploring all that Los Angeles and Southern California has to offer.
Shabira Jaffer, Undergraduate Counselor
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Economics/International Area Studies with a Concentration in Japan at UCLA
About Me: I have worked in marketing, real estate, and finance, but found that my passion for education drives me most. There is nothing I love more than making a positive impact in someone’s life. Counseling students gives me the opportunity to help students along in their paths towards their goals. I have over 10 years of experience in this field and am a proud Bruin and graduate of this very Department. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends, and basketball is an absolute must in the Jaffer household.
Jalen Stevenson, Undergraduate Counselor
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in African American Studies at UCLA
About Me: Hi there! I’m a Sociology graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles. I have years of experience in academic advising and working in higher education spaces, with aspirations to pursue opportunities as a podcaster and cultural commentator. I’m looking forward to meeting you! 🙂