What can you do with an economics degree?

[etalns]

I am conflicted at this point. Pursue a Bachelor of Economics then pursue my MBA? or go for a Bachelor of Commerce and then pursue my MBA?

What are my options with each?

I really like the investment side of things, and I want to keep that option open. I have heard, however, that you can not pursue that route unless you have a degree in Economics.

Any comments are appreciated! Just trying to get a feeling for where Economics can take me, beyond things like research, federal economic policy making, etc.

 

[Fritzo]

You could have a really really really balanced checkbook.

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
You could have a really really really balanced checkbook.

Haha!

Well, I'd like to have to balance a rather high income Which should I pursue?!

 

[sygyzy]

You think you would make a good MBA going direct from undergrad?

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You think you would make a good MBA going direct from undergrad?

Oh, I would work for a few years most likely.

I'm just wondering what each offers.

 

[anno]

I got my degree in economics.. spent 5 years doing an any degree would do state job (unemployment insurance eligibility), and the next 21 years raising children. not sure what's next, yet..

anno

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: anno
I got my degree in economics.. spent 5 years doing an any degree would do state job (unemployment insurance eligibility), and the next 21 years raising children. not sure what's next, yet..

anno

Why did you choose that job? out of curiosity.

 

[Umberger]

my girlfriend's father has a PhD in economics... he works for the Congressional Budget Office. Her brother has a PhD in economics. He is a university professor. perhaps not the 2 highest paying jobs in the world... but they manage their money well!

 

[PoPPeR]

friend just graduated with his degree in econ from UC Davis two years ago... spent a semester getting an additional 30 units, now works for Deloitte & Touche

 

[Taggart]

An MBA does not guarantee a high income. You need to have a specific reason to get an MBA, do not get it for its own sake.

 

[anno]

Originally posted by: Qosis

Originally posted by: anno
I got my degree in economics.. spent 5 years doing an any degree would do state job (unemployment insurance eligibility), and the next 21 years raising children. not sure what's next, yet..

anno

Why did you choose that job? out of curiosity.

it was the best thing I could find, without relocating far or big. I was a small city girl, and didn't want to relocate to a big city by myself. so.. I relocated to a smaller one just a couple hours from home.

it was a good stable job with a regular schedule, plenty of transfer opportunities (I transferred to northern virginia when I got married.. that was big, but not by myself ), good benefits.. and it paid pretty well, for/at the time.

anno

 

[thegimp03]

Most econ majors never become the so-called "economist"...working for the government and stuff like that. Are you talking about doing Econ through an Arts and Sciences school or through the Business school...I think that's what you're trying to decide on...You can major in pretty much anything and turn around and get your MBA later. It helps if you major in something in a business school, but I know a lot of engineering guys who later went back and got their MBAs.
If you like the investment side of things you should consider Finance. At any rate, it's good to take a couple of Finance classes in college just to give you the basics of investments and how capital markets work.

 

[gopunk]

a lot of econ majors in law school

 

[UncleWai]

Economics is a very broad major. It's like simplified math and statistic that relates to the real world. If you are planning to go to graduate school, I think going through Economics classes will give you a very strong understandig in how to apply math and statistic into economic applications. You don't learn a specific skill like you would as an accounting major.

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: Umberger
my girlfriend's father has a PhD in economics... he works for the Congressional Budget Office. Her brother has a PhD in economics. He is a university professor. perhaps not the 2 highest paying jobs in the world... but they manage their money well!

The thing is with Econopmics, you need an advanced degree to get a worthy job out of it. With only a BS, you are gonna have to do a job that you may be competing with other liberal arts graduates (a job that requires a degree, but any major can do)

 

[Wag]

How about teaching accounting or some related economic topic in High School? That sounds somewhat interesting.

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04

Originally posted by: Umberger
my girlfriend's father has a PhD in economics... he works for the Congressional Budget Office. Her brother has a PhD in economics. He is a university professor. perhaps not the 2 highest paying jobs in the world... but they manage their money well!

The thing is with Econopmics, you need an advanced degree to get a worthy job out of it. With only a BS, you are gonna have to do a job that you may be competing with other liberal arts graduates (a job that requires a degree, but any major can do)

Assuming you are committed to pursuing your masters too, is it a good route to go down?

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: Wag
How about teaching accounting or some related economic topic in High School? That sounds somewhat interesting.

Thattttt would not be fun.

Only slackers take those sorts of classes.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

do what my father did:

Graphic Design

 

[blues008]

If you're truly interested in the investment side of things, a degree in Economics will definitely help.

I would then look into working for one of the large brokerages: Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, etc. Gain some experience, and see what's it like out there.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Just the other day I ran into an economics major and a philosophy major working side by side. They asked me if I wanted fries with that.

 

[etalns]

Bump!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
You could have a really really really balanced checkbook.

No, for that you need an accounting degree.

 

[serialkiller]

econs tough.... but i have couple friends in the finance field... like financial analyst type stuff....

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: NiKeFiDO
do what my father did:

Graphic Design

hahaha, that's hillarious