Economics

An economics specialist studies how resources are distributed in society in order to produce the goods and services needed. By studying these resources and by researching issues such as inflation, energy cost, business cycles, and exchange rates, economics specialists are able to identify trends and develop economic forecasts. They then prepare reports and make presentations about their findings and analysis to other economists, business managers, the media, and government officials.

As an economics specialist, or economist, you might choose to specialize in a particular area of economics. These might include microeconomics, which is the study of supply and demand decisions as they affect individual parts of the economy (i.e. an individual firm) or macroeconomics, which is the study of historical trends throughout the whole economy. International economists study international financial markets; while public finance economists focus primarily on the role the government plays on the economy.

Whether working for the government, for a business, or for another entity, earning a bachelor's degree is necessary to get started in this field. Most private sector employers require a minimum of a master's degree or Ph.D. When pursuing a more advanced degree, you will need to choose an area of economics in which to specialize.

A good candidate for a job in economics is someone who is detail-oriented and who enjoys data analysis. In order to perform the job effectively, an economist should also have strong computer, quantitative, and research skills. Those who have a great deal of patience, who enjoy problem solving and who are capable of writing and speaking in a clear, concise manner are also well suited to this career.