For Economists, a Moment in the Sun

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I have to admit it was the LACK of any real quantitative work in the UNDERGRAD classes that turned me OFF of ECO when I finished my degree in the 80's. I remember being in a JUNIOR level class and having one of the several football players raise their hand and announce that until they could be satisfied on exactly why the slope intecept form of an equation used 'M' we just could not continue. If 285 pounds of bristling stupid was going to keep us at a 7th grade level -- indeed the Prof seemed quite prepared to submit -- I decided to drop it. I had dropped out of EE (for a lack of interest I was making all A's and B's) and having finished the Physics for majors and Engineers and Chemistry for Majors and Engineers survey classes I was used to -- if anything -- the science classes LEADING my math program rather that remediating it. I suppose I should have had a bit more patience. Now, in my old age I want to take economics, but don't know where a decent school is near Dallas/F.worth.

Rich Boone of TX 2:18PM August 17, 2010

Because the economists are brain damaged to say anything meaningful.

Crap of KS 6:20PM March 12, 2010

I'm not sure what the benefit of getting an MA is. I have an MA and thought about a Ph.D and to my surprise, even at below average schools you will have to start over. Just take lots of math in undergrad (even better take it at CC) and go to a Ph.D program.

D. of OH 6:43PM January 28, 2010

In the event thay you had a less than stellar undergraduate record and did not take enough math courses then YES, a masters may help.
But truth be told, admissions would rather recruit star undergrad candidates even if they took longer to graduate WITH a history of success in high level math courses, and those who took the effort to get involved in research at the undergradute level.
I am currently working on a dual Accounting & Comp Sci Major. Math is just as important for comp science as it is in econ, so I am making sure that I finish Calc III, Adv Calc, and a few other key math courses so my graduate school options remain decent.
Focus on the math, the rest will come.

Delaware_Student of DE 9:40PM June 30, 2009

Does it really matter that there are more jobs being advertised than there are PhD grads? I doubt it. Open Foreign Affairs or the Economist, and the "Senior Economist Wanted" advertisements will greet you with a friendly "Required: PhD and 15 years relevant work experience."
What really matters is the number of relevant jobs.

James Savage 8:34AM May 05, 2009

With "2,200 job openings worldwide" but "only 950 Ph.D.'s in economics" from American universities, there must be a surplus of jobs! As if there's no one graduating from universities elsewhere in the world adding to the demand for econ jobs.

Gkyluig of NM 12:14AM May 03, 2009

Just check out www.econjobrumors.com to see if there is no unemployment among economists. You must be out of your minds comparing 2200 vs. 950. The truth is there is an oversupply of PhD economists and most graduates out of below top-30 schools face a very tough competition to find any job.

nasim of KY 5:53AM May 02, 2009

Why do you compare the worldwide demand for economists with the supply from American universities only? I am doing my Ph.D. in Canada, and expect to graduate wihin a year, and like me at least another 50 students. Add to that EU, Australia, etc. and see how suddenly the excess demand is not so large (if any).

Ioana 2:14PM May 01, 2009