Economics

Description of Major

Economics is the study of the way society uses its resources to produce the goods and services that it desires. It is a social science that studies many of the problems facing the world today, and is the foundation for business, finance, management, and marketing. It offers students a systematic way of approaching and thinking about the problems we face in our professional, civic, and personal lives every day.

Relevant Coursework

Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Statistics, Labor Economics, Mathematical Economics, Money and Banking, Regional/Urban Economics, Public Finance

Current Outlook
Carthage has a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the International Economics Honorary Society. The society's purposes are the recognition of scholastic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievements in economics, and the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics within colleges and universities. Members do not have to be economics majors, but must have an established GPA of 3.00 or above and have completed 12 credit hours in economics coursework.

Economics majors are often interested in the Model UN of Carthage, a student-run organization that seeks to introduce students to the inner-workings of the United Nations and global issues by allowing students to participate in simulations of the Security Council, General Assembly, and Economic and Social Council. If you are interested in Politics, Economics, History, Philosophy, Geography, the Natural Sciences, the art of persuasion, or just learning more about other cultures, the Model UN is for you. As a participant in the Model UN, you will travel to conferences and engage in negotiations and debates about global issues that are being discussed by the world's leaders today. If you are interested in issues such as human rights, environmental politics, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and poverty, among others, then the Model UN of Carthage is for you. All majors are welcome.

Why take Economics at Carthage?

THE CARTHAGE ADVANTAGE
Carthage's economics major focuses on developing a student's ability to "think like an economist". Economic reasoning contains not only logic and facts, but also analogies, stories, and value premises. Context - political, historical, and cultural - is important. In formulating economic arguments, students learn to make important connections between economics and other realms of human understanding.

Carthage business degree programs are accredited by International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. We are located midway between Chicago and Milwaukee in one of the major business corridors of the U.S., giving the Carthage economics student excellent internship and career opportunities.

The economics program is housed in the Clausen Center for World Business which brings together the economics, business, and political science departments under one roof. This is reflective of the strong interconnections between these fields, and prepares you for the real world.

SALARY
The national average starting salary for all economics majors was $40,047 in 2002. Economics majors choosing careers in financial services earned an average of $38,386, those in consulting averaged $47,741, and those in commercial banking made $36,533 on the average.

What can I do with a major in Economics?

POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS
This list includes careers requiring differing degrees of education and training.

  • Banking and Financial Services, e.g. manager, forecaster, loan officer, analyst
  • Business, e.g. financial analysts, international trade specialist, industry analyst
  • Government, e.g. foreign service officer, budget officer, economic planner
  • Human services, e.g. industrial relations, personnel manager, training
  • Insurance, e.g. actuary, benefits analyst, demographer, statistician
  • Law, e.g. attorney, judicial assistant, lobbyist, legislative research adviser
  • Teaching, e.g. secondary school teaching in economics or social science

COMPANIES EMPLOYING CARTHAGE GRADUATES

  • Strong Funds - Junior Equities Trader
  • Commerce Department - Economist
  • Northwestern Mutual Life - Investment Analyst
  • BETA Systems Inc./Kemper Securities - Data Integrity Specialist
  • Sunstone Financial Group - Investment Services Representative
  • State Bureau of Labor Statistics

CARTHAGE ECONOMICS MAJORS HAVE PURSUED GRADUATE STUDIES IN

  • Law
  • Economics