Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories – Erikka Ocampo

By Diana Corredor
Erikka OcampoIn our Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories series, we proudly highlight exceptional students whose academic paths reflect the diversity and impact of the Faculty of Social Science. This edition features Erikka Ocampo, a third-year student majoring in Financial Economics.

Ocampo’s journey into economics was shaped by her early life experiences living in both Qatar and the Philippines—two countries with contrasting economic systems. “It’s actually a bit funny! I didn’t grow up liking math or calculus at all,” she shares. “But I was always fascinated by the social and economic forces that shape people’s lives. Studying economics helped me connect those dots.”

Joining the Faculty of Social Science was a way for Ocampo to challenge herself academically while applying data-driven skills to real-world issues. A turning point came during Economics 3320: Intermediate Microeconomics with Professor Cociuba. “It was one of the most difficult courses I’ve taken, but also the most transformative,” she says. “I learned how I study best, and I’ve carried that with me ever since.” The small class size and supportive atmosphere made it a rewarding challenge, and she still remembers crying tears of pride after seeing her final grade—a milestone following a tough second year of adjustment.

Outside the classroom, Ocampo has found community through both academic and extracurricular experiences. Resources like International Student Services have helped her navigate life in Canada—from tax workshops to study permit support—while events like Meet Your Economics Professors have deepened her connection to the discipline. “That event really stood out to me. I had the chance to talk directly with professors, hear from students in other years, and explore new areas like policy analysis and Canada’s labour market,” she says.

This summer, Ocampo will take her academic interests even further through the Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI). Under the mentorship of Professor Phuong Vu from the Department of Economics, she will study the labour market outcomes of the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), with a focus on its impact on immigrants. “I met Professor Vu at the Meet Your Professors event. A short conversation about community turned into a research opportunity,” she says. “Now I get to explore a project that combines my background, values, and skills.”

Ocampo’s time at Western has also been shaped by a strong sense of creativity and service. She worked as a clothing stylist for the 2025 Spur Fashion Show, which raised $40,000 for Childhood Cancer Canada, and served as an Event Director for USC Food Support Services, helping address food insecurity on campus. “Being part of Spur helped me rediscover my passion for the arts, while USC Food Support taught me the importance of checking in on others and creating caring spaces,” she reflects.

Whether studying for exams, organizing events, or analyzing policy data, Ocampo finds strength in the relationships she’s built. “Upper-year Economics classes are small, and we really look out for each other. It feels like we’re a team taking on a semester-long challenge together—no one gets left behind!”

Celebrate Erikka Ocampo’s inspiring journey with us and discover how students in the Faculty of Social Science are using their education to explore big questions and make meaningful contributions. Stay tuned for more success stories in our series, and follow our social media channels to learn more about the experiences shaping our student community.

If you want to share your own story or know someone who should be featured, please reach out to us!

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