I wish to pursue a degree in economics after I finish my foundation. I wanna ask is it a wise choice? I really like economics and I'm pretty good in it. But the thing is people have been giving me negative comments about it. Like it is very hard to find a job in the future, and it is not enough just majoring in economics. So do you think it is a safe choice?

For now maybe but no one knows in the future, it'll be like 3 years before you even graduate and who knows maybe the demand will be soaring high or remain the same. Anyway, regardless of what course there will be still people studying it and if people really can't find a job then for sure no one will even bother thinking bout this course.

The reason why it is not so popular is probably not much people is taking this course compare to more popular ones like accounting, you dont bump into an economist that often compare to an accountants.

My advice is just study if you like it and worry bout things later, it'll turn out to be good since you have interest and is pretty good in it. Everyjob has their own demand and if you're really good don't worry about not getting a job.

This post has been edited by justamember: Jul 11 2010, 03:20 PM

You will get a job but you won't be in high demand because what you learn can't be applied and has no use in the office as a low level staff or low level management. If you plan to do economics, strengthen it up with business math, financial models and investment or statistics. It's simple, look at the syllabus of your economics degree, go to the bookstore or google up the areas you will cover and just read the broad and brief definitions of the things in the syllabus. Then you can answer the question yourself.

This post has been edited by mumeichan: Jul 11 2010, 05:02 PM

you study econs you can work everywhere except those place where they need technical knowledge, because it is a general degree. just like BBA. it is not true you will be struggling in finding a job.

like many said, be prepared to further your study until phD level. you probably cant go far with just a degree.

i am studying it myself and from what i observed, most of the econs graduate will work as a small employee but however some (cream of the crop) did made it to investment banks and drawing high salaries.

BUT, i personally think a degree in econs is very good in terms of building your mind and thinking. it really helps you to think like an economist. econs people tend think and speak different from others. everything that goes into our brain will be analyzed with its costs and benefits.

perhaps if you are sick of it you can do something else later on your master. perhaps accountancy?

good luck.

This post has been edited by icycokes: Jul 11 2010, 07:13 PM

so as long as you are not choosy about your job, i believe u will have no problem finding a job.

A degree merely serves as a passport to enter the workforce and does not determine ur career.. heck.. do u think those with an accounting degree are really equiped for the accounting world..any graduate would still need to pursue further skills through exp and studies.

In Big 4 accounting firm, they even accepts engineering graduate and banks do not demand any specific degree. They are just looking for people with right attitude and are willing to learn and of course smart. This generation is about whether u can learn unlearn and relearn.

Btw, economics is a very good training as it trains u to think logically. It would be most useful when u reach a senior position or when u work in trust funds and banks

Erm, what positions can an economics degree holder apply for in the future? I'm not really sure.. thanks

I am a econs grad and I agree with Icycokes except for the bold text.
Economist will focus more on how a particular market behaves. Perhaps business student focus more on cost and benefit analysis.

Only jobs in the Economic Planning Unit or Central Bank (Bank Negara) are deem related job for economist. As a result most econs grads end up in other sectors. Icy already share his thoughts on economist not in related field and I do not disagree.

I had to disagree with mumeichan. The level of math that is applied to economic are in no way inferior to the math applied in business. You think the finding the inverse of 2X2 matrix in SPM is hard? Try it for 16X16 or 5 dimensional (a,b,c,d,e) matrix. The differential and integral calculas is that of 3rd year level math. Once in fourth year, you will have to take econometric. Unless you have 2nd year level statistic you are do not have the prequsite for the course.

This post has been edited by faceless: Jul 12 2010, 12:19 PM

Thanks bro. So did you have any problems finding a job? And what kind of work are you doing now? So in conclusion, do you recommend me taking it or not?

Yes, but that's not my point. I'm telling him he needs to double major in business mathematics, statistics, finance or investment. By business math I did not mean the math someone needs to learn to get just any BBA. Sorry about the confusion. I meant doing another major in financial math, actuarial math or something similar or majoring in statistics. Because, as you say, a degree in economics requires alot of math, but not up to what Math majors learn in their 3rd year, if that's what you mean. We need to learn up to multivariable calculus, basic statistics and linear algebra. Those subjects can easily be done in 1 year. Secondly, we are only applying the math to economic models. So a little more math and statistic and we can already double major in finance, financial math, statistic or even actuarial math. These are far more practical and have more lower level positions in the business field.

I wonder how many people agree with this statement below.
Lets take it another step and ask if a duoble major (in another non technical field) would enhance job seeking opportunities?

Mumeichan,
Perhaps I misunderstood you. I would not deny a double major helps but only to improve you own knowledge. I am doubtful that it would increace your chance for a job. I did a double major in Sociology. I had a class mate that did a double in Econ and Math. We applied for a vacancy in an insurance company and to our surprise I got the job. In spite of being well verse in acturial math my friend did not get the job. What can I say. Lucky?

Diversity,
It is always good to study something that you like. It is the interest that will carry you through it and ensure success. I had lost interest in Economic after the the second year. I found Soicology more interesting and persue it for a second major. In spite of it loosing out in term of time to Economics (Econ yr2, Socio yr0), my interest manage to help me secure it as a second major. Of course I had to catch up on time by doing summer courses.

I had been in personnel and admin for about 15 years. Now I trade futures and equity.

If you like it and has a passion for it, go for it. Studying economics doesnt mean that you are only restricted to work as an economist. Your course structure will include a lot of other topics beside econmics with a fair emphasis on business, finance, statistics and of course management.

Job openings include banks, management trainees in MNCs, research analysts and many others.

With a job opening, the "can do or willing to do" attitude will get u up the corporate ladder faster than you realise.

If you do a postgrad with an MBA, it would be a distinct advantage.

does that degree helps you trade better?

If you've put in a great deal of effort, and be among the best in the industry,

Any business-related degree is the same. Assuming they're from reputable universities.

You can get a unique "oh so famed" degree let's say Actuarial Science, but with mediocre results and also less than stellar work performance you'll climb nowhere high.

However if you get the most commonly sought degree, such as Accounting, but you constantly endeavor to mold yourself into a super accountant with a wide variety of superior business skills from different areas, chances are you're gonna climb sky high.

Also, there's something called specialist area too.

This post has been edited by entryman: Jul 13 2010, 10:20 PM

Nope. Trading is a different ball game. It is also not a profession that you can pick up from books.

im an economic major graduate, double major actually marketing and econs. i cant tell you much about job scope cause im doing my masters in business with majors in international business at UQ.

while i never perceived econs as a degree to get you THE job people dream of, most puppets go to accountancy for that. it does grant you a different perspective of the business market, you will be able to detect bubbles (which normally makes you the odd one out as everyone is hyping over it - like china), know what the causes and effects of inflation means, yadda yadda. there are also different types of economics, the ones that deal with calculations, those that deal with micro models or those that deal with marco models.

and also it will tell you that most self "proclaimed" economists (often in /k/) out there are just mere posers with blog knowledge

fun subject, never did too good and loved it a little too late.

This post has been edited by +3kk!: Jul 14 2010, 05:48 PM

Nowadays Economics as a degree is different. They are highly quantitative and demanding.

Who knows, if you study economics you can be some sort of analyst. You could become an actuary. You could become a banker, or a trader, or an investment banker.

Similarly, an engineering graduate could perform the job that an economics graduate does. It depends what jobs you get into and what work you do. People working in business and finance sometimes get good pay, it's not all about medicine and science.

the top five most wanted majors in no particular order:
1. Engineering
2. Comp Sci
3. Economics
4. Nursing
5. Education.

how about social economics ? = D go to PhD School and check out some of the threads under economics

imo there are 2 sides to economics - one that involves the number crunching and the other and involves a lot of understanding of history. My university falls on the number crunching side. Understanding of history and social theories falls in as an arts degree but its a lot cooler to me =D because anyone can number crunch their way through uni but to whip up a good argument essay needs a lot of reading of your history books + contemporary economics knowledge + day to day business changes.

Just giving my 2 cents I never studied economics though

i am economics student. but, i have taken mathematics as my 2nd major. (i am double major).
who say econ grad student dont have good prospect in job market ? most of the banks ,brokerage firms or consultation firms will hire u as research which guarantee high salary.

ts, you can't be rich but can survive like low middle class (driving proton or stay at apartment) people. Go to study proffessional courses if you want better life