Saying ‘yes’ to an impactful career in economics

Carlos Brennan’s career is just beginning – but his fast path from a Bachelor of Commerce to NSW Treasury shows the power of embracing every opportunity that comes your way.

“Just say yes” is Carlos Brennan’s motto. That would explain how the proud Kunja man has built an impressive breadth of experience for an early-career graduate.

Named an AFR Top 100 Future Leader in 2025, he is recognised as one of the most impressive graduates in the country. He not only completed his Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Business Economics at UNSW, but also held roles at Deloitte, WSP, and the Centre for Social Impact – all while leading UNSW’s First Nations Business Society. 

Now, Carlos is making a difference as an Associate Economist at the NSW Treasury. Economics, he’s discovered, isn’t just about spreadsheets. Through policy, economics can drive true progress for all.

“I think that, as with all people who work in government and policy, if you do your job well, you can see some of those positive influences,” says Carlos. “You can enable positive change, which is really, really important.”

From a rocky start to a rapid rise

Fresh out of high school, Carlos arrived at UNSW through the Indigenous Pre-Programs to study a Bachelor of Commerce. But starting university at the tail end of the pandemic was not easy. After completing his HSC during COVID-19, he found himself studying alone at the kitchen table, wondering whether university was right for him.

So he made the brave decision to take programme leave for the remainder of the year and started an internship at WSP – a professional services firm with a mission to advance humanity. When he asked his boss if he could do a traineeship at the firm, “he told me to go back to university for one term, and if I didn’t like it, I could do the traineeship.”

The second time around proved the charm for Carlos. “When I came back, I was a bit more mature, and I felt a lot more prepared.” 

While studying full time, Carlos leaned on the support available to him, including tutoring through Nura Gili, the Centre for Indigenous Programs. “So many people made an impact, supporting me through my studies in so many different ways – through conversations, by connecting me with people in the industry, or by exposing me to new ideas.”

As campus life reopened, he said yes to everything – joining societies, speaking on panels, and serving as President of the UNSW First Nations Business Society. He travelled to Rotorua in New Zealand, where he represented the university as a delegate to the Global Indigenous Business Summit.

“I don't think I've ever been so nervous about something in my entire life,” says Carlos about presenting to Indigenous business leaders from around the world. “That has got to be one of the highlights of my university experience.”

Economics as a tool for progress

While studying full-time, Carlos packed years’ worth of work experience into his degree. He worked with Tribal Warrior Talent on secondment from WSP where he led the development of their first Social Impact Report.

He then joined Deloitte Access Economics, where he stayed on part-time for more than two years while also working as a research assistant at UNSW’s Centre for Social Impact. “That was awesome,” says Carlos. “I got to work on some really cool projects alongside incredibly smart people.”

Since graduating, Carlos has joined NSW Treasury as an Associate Economist through its graduate program. The role is helping him deepen his understanding of policy, government and how economic decisions can shape people’s lives across the state.

For Carlos, that is what makes economics so powerful. It is not just about numbers, spreadsheets or theory – it is a way to understand complex problems and help others create change. “What drew me to economics is the ability to enable other agents within the economy to carry out change.”

At UNSW, Carlos was exposed to the breadth of the field, from macro and microeconomics to development, environmental and policy-focused subjects. That range helped him see the different ways economics can be applied to real-world challenges.

“One of the best parts of doing economics is the ability to wear many different hats,” he says. “I see economics as a tool to approach complex problems and contribute to projects for the betterment of the state.”

A big, bright future ahead

Carlos was named an AFR Top 100 Future Leader in 2025, but for him, the most surprising part is how much has already happened. “I never, ever would have imagined it,” he says. “Sometimes you can’t understand what’s happening at the time, and when you look back, you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m so glad I did that.’”

His advice to other students is simple: “Just say yes to everything, because you have no idea where it’s going to lead you,” he says. “You’re not going to know what you like or don’t like until you try it. So just try it.”

And most importantly? “Back yourself.”

Study a Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW

Discover how decisions made by institutions, businesses and individuals shape the economy and society with a Bachelor of Commerce from UNSW. This three-year degree builds your skills in quantitative methods, data analysis and economic modelling. 

Learn to interpret data and apply insights to public policy, business strategy and global issues – from unemployment, taxation and trade policy to inequality, climate change, education and healthcare. You’ll graduate with transferable analytical and problem-solving skills for a wide range of careers across industry, government and non-profit sectors.