Economics Degree

[Sleepy Tree]

Howdy, I searched and couldn't find any relevant information so here we go...

I'm seriously considering majoring in Economics, after doing some research it just becomes more and more appealing. Now, my family (very midwestern father, very Ukrainian mother) don't see the overall value and insist I become a CPA or something of that ilk.

I was wondering if anyone around these parts has any input, pros/cons of an econ degree, careers, etc. I've already found a ton of resources, but it's always valuable to have some real world information, ya dig?

 

[oohcow]

Hey,

Don't let your parents make you become a CPA.... If you don't like it... you might blow ur brains out.... trust me... as I'm an accountancy major.

I have a lot of friends who are majoring in economics.

VERY sweet subject, super interesting.... However, I have been told from friends across the nation that you SHOULD double major in economics and math... as they go hand in hand or something.....

i'm not an econ major... only took a basic micro and macro economics class for gen ed requirements its interesting but not my cup of coffee.... I don't like that TYPE of math...

good luck =)

 

[satricion]

An economics degree is a great thing to have on the employment market. Your parents come from a generation whose attitudes towards this kinds of thing are oriented to a job market which no longer exists. These days it's all about a good education and having transferable skills.

I think you should go ahead and do economics. It's a valuable thing to have in terms of getting a job, there are a range of different kinds of work you can go in to, and it's intellectually stimulating as well. My only suggestion is similar to oohcow - I think you should also take some statistics or some research methodology courses as well (although that might be part of doing economics). Knowing about economics and having advanced quantitative research skills will mean you have a great chance of getting a really good job later on down the track, and will also mean you have options for grad school too.

 

[ebola?]

I think of an econ degree as the thinking person's version of specialization in "business administration". It's pretty useful on the job market too.

Now, I'm personally more into critiquing mainstream econ, so. . .

ebola

 

[Roger&Me]

I highly recommend coupling that degree with studies in mathematics (as oohcow mentioned). I'm serious, you need mathematical training and analytical thinking skills to be able to apply economic concepts with any type of consistency or accuracy.

This is hardly specific to economics, though. If you can do advanced math, you'll be better at a lot of different disciplines. Mathematics is universal and integral (no pun intended! :D) to a multitude of different pursuits.

 

[RedLeader]

Agreed 100% in that anyone who studies economics or finance should seriously think about a double-major with math. Not only will it help you immensely if you want to go to graduate school, but like others have said, it will make you much more marketable in the real world. Econ majors come a dime a dozen, and doubling with math is an excellent way to stand out.

As for being a CPA, it really is one of those careers that it takes a rare breed to love. But if you want to be a CPA, I wouldn't do econ as an undergraduate degree. I'd either do Accounting or Accounting + Math double. Econ knowledge is pretty easy to pick up along the way, through finance courses, reading the WSJ, etc. Can't say the same as much for the neighboring degrees, though.

 

[Sleepy Tree]

Thank ya'll for the responses. One of my good family friends is a counselor at my school so I'm going to go in and talk to her and try to plan this out.

How far do you reckon I'm going to have to take the math? I'm pretty mathematically inclined, but it gets so numbing after a while.

So now I'm in the process of switching my path from History/English to Econ/Math I suppose. Guess I'm gonna have to look up the degree requirements.

Oh man, I forsee a lot of engineering paper in my future. I need to go smoke.

Thank you guys for the info, helped solidify my resolve. peace.

 

[RedLeader]

How far do you reckon I'm going to have to take the math? I'm pretty mathematically inclined, but it gets so numbing after a while.

If you want a math minor, which will help you practically but won't as much stand out on a resume, you can sneak by with a few semesters of calculus, a semester of linear algebra, a semester of differential equations, possibly a semester of scientific computing, and a departmental elective or two.

If you want a math major, which will help you both practically and professionally, then you'll need to take all of the above courses plus at least one depth sequence (analysis or algebra typically), as well as a few 3rd/4th year departmental electives. As well, a thesis/project if your university requires one.