Career Development Center
University Center South 106, (812) 941-2275, webjob@ius.edu
Description of Economics Major
Economics is the study of decision-making and public policy. It also studies the decisions of buyers and sellers in product and labor markets. Special topics include labor economics, urban economics, and such headline issues as the environment, poverty, crime, health, education, energy, and the arts. Probably more than any other factor, it is the relevance of economics that initially attracts students. Few, if any, disciplines are equal to economics in preparing one to be an interested, interesting, and competent observer of current events. This is because economics is a social science that develops models for organizing facts and thinking effectively. This empowers its students to make well-reasoned decisions - in analyzing personal decisions and business problems and in drawing informed conclusions about public policy - based on a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of alternatives. Because economics is so often connected to government policy, students also learn about the legal and political institutions that affect consumers, workers, and businesses.
Most graduates use economics as a stepping stone to other occupations. Economic training is wide reaching, and thus, career alternatives are relatively well paid and unusually varied, including business, finance, banking, journalism, and government service. If one is unsure of what major to choose or what career to pursue, economics offers the ability to keep one’s options for the future more flexible. In a word, economics offers a course of study that is interesting and provocative, beneficial in terms of career options, and useful in understanding the world.
RELATED SKILLS:
- Reading comprehension
- Active listening
- Mathematics and science
- Critical thinking
- Different learning strategies
- Ability to give advice on business
- Research skills
- Investigative skills
- Oral and written communication
- Computer literacy
- Active learning
- Ability to prepare and write reports
Click on one of the links to the right to find possible job titles, employers, and web sites related to this major.
Explore Majors - What Can I Do With A Major In?
Your major is not your career. Of course it can be.
A chemistry major can become a chemist, a history major can become an historian. But it is much more likely that your career choices will be enormously varied, and not tied to a specific major at all.
The 21st century workplace will challenge you to have many different jobs and most probably multiple careers. Your major will provide you a broad range of skills which will enable you to stay marketable in the fast-changing work world.
As you explore majors, be sure and take advantage of the following areas: college course bulletin, professors, upperclassmen, college alumni, family, friends and your Career Development Center Networking Program -- most importantly, don't panic! We're here to help.
In addition to the majors listed at the right, IU Southeast offers a number of certificate programs and academic minors to help students round out or expand their academic profile.
Learn more about our certificate programs and minors.
