Why should you study economics? There are a variety of reasons a student would choose to major in a given discipline. These choices are inspired by different reasons, from family background to the environment or peer group association. Or it could even be for a choice of career or passion. Whichever it is, it is important to understand some basic insight about studying economics.
Economics in summation is a study of people’s behavior to manage and use resources to meet human needs. Every student pursuing economics as a career is open to a wide range of other career opportunities. This is because studying economics does not limit you to just becoming an economist.
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A strong reason to major in economics would be to have a deep understanding of how economics works from an individual level to a nation. You understand the ever-changing world of businesses, market flow, opportunities, and threats.
Economics is a social science broken down into two classes; macroeconomics and microeconomics. Macroeconomics focuses on the national and international levels of the economy, while microeconomics focuses on the economic outcome as it directly affects individuals, businesses, and organizations. It also explains how people react to changes in the prices of commodities and why they behave when there is a change in the price level. There are also three major types of economic systems; capitalism, socialism, and communism.
Also, read 10 Reasons Why You Should Study International Relations
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10 Reasons Why You Should Study Economics
Students who choose to study economics, gain a lot of privileges. They develop problem-solving skills, understand how complex markets work, and can work in any organization. Here are 10 reasons why you should study economics as a major;
1. Economic forecaster
A career path as an economist brings comfort as well as challenges. Economic forecasting is an effort to predict future economic outcomes. An economist could forecast inflation rates, unemployment, or fiscal deficit at an aggregate level. An economist practically evaluates risks and demonstrates a thorough and deep thinking process to arrive at forecast estimates. Forecast results are sometimes generated annually but at other times updated frequently. Though there are several data analytic tools to help economists achieve forecast results, they also need statistical knowledge and models to arrive at the result for particular variables.
2. Economists know the reasons for unemployment
An economist would define unemployment as a part of the labor force actively seeking employment. Unemployment consequentially hurts a country’s economy, especially when the rates are high. This can then draw the attention of the media and other interested parties. There are numerous reasons for unemployment in a country. But when a country experiences a recession or economic downturn, the private sector may be forced to lay off staff to reduce costs. Overall economists are better equipped with the knowledge to understand and predict potential causes of unemployment. They are also in a position to provide solutions to fix or prevent the rising unemployment rate.
Also read 10 Reasons Why Studying Economics is Important
3. Economists earn a high-paying Job
This is another reason why some students study economics as a major. A major in economics could land you different jobs. For instance, as a market research analyst, you would be required to apply skills like graphical representation, statistical skills, and critical thinking. As an economic consultant, you are needed across sectors like government, finance, education, healthcare, and business where you analyze and research economic strategies to help enhance performance.
If you have analytical thinking skills and want to understand how to coordinate and interpret data using mathematical formulas and statistics, you can major in economics. There are models learned to predict the effect of policy decisions, industry tendencies, climate change, and investment.
4. You will understand the Market dynamics
Market dynamics are simply those factors that impact the market. An economist’s perspective would involve demand and supply, opportunity cost, scarcity, and equilibrium. The course will expand your vocabulary and knowledge to understand how the market works. Even if you would not be working primarily as an economist, your knowledge will help you understand your organization’s market and can influence strategic decisions to improve your organization’s performance.
5. Able to make a good decision on personal spending
There is a funny idea that economists are stingy people. This is an ill-informed stereotype. Economists are about making thoughtful economic decisions. Learning to major in this course would enlighten your scope of reasoning. You will learn about market behavior and organizational trends. Eventually, with enough passion, would turn into economically sound and financially healthy habits. For example, learning about the willingness to pay theory could help you develop your spending habits.
6. Learning to optimize your quick cognitive response
Economics, as highlighted earlier, is a course that would strengthen and stretch your analytical thinking making you thoughtful in your reasoning. Of course, it includes using models and statistical formulas but it is a little bit more than these models or demand curves. So many theory of economics deals with the study of human rational behavior or reactions. These sometimes are unpredictable because they are largely based on assumptions. Hence, improving your cognitive reasoning is a plus for any student interested and willing to take up the challenge. Optimizing your mind to learn cognitive prejudice goes a long way to affect important economic decisions.
7. How to leverage economic tools
Economics will teach you many theories and various economic tools for data analysis to apply in any real-world situation. You learn how to generate data to make good business decisions. It is a logical method to assume the optimum use of scarce resources, distinguish vacant alternatives, and choose the best alternatives to get a desirable result.
8. Economies of scale
Economies of scale are cost advantages earned by companies when the output becomes productive. Good knowledge of this as an economist can help a company to improve output and reduce costs. It is also important to note that the size of business matters, the bigger the size the more cost that would be saved. Costs can be variable or fixed costs.
Also, read 10 Reasons Why You Should Study Business Administration
9. You would be able to checkmate your spending habits
As an economics student, you have the advantage of understanding how money works and how to use your resources optimally. If you have a business or managing someone’s business, you’d be able to use the problem-solving skills developed as an economist. You will value money more and be open to ways to make better use of money.
10. You can be an economist adviser
Even without graduating from school, you can get a side job as an economist’s adviser. You can help people manage their business resources and get paid while at it. As an economist, you can also get a job as a government official to help grow the economy.
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What Qualifications are Required for Studying Economics
To study economics, you need several qualities.
- Aside from having an interest in studying economics, you must be able to think logically and clearly. Economics involves a lot of studying with analytical problem-solving skills. Therefore, you must always pay attention to the smallest details.
- Be enthusiastic about solving problems. Be able to analyze problems and proffer solutions.
- You must be good with mathematics and calculations. You must be ready to do a lot of mathematical calculations as you study.
Where Can I Study Economics
Economics is a broad course that can be studied in most high institutions of learning. Universities, polytechnics, and others around the world offer this course for undergraduate or postgraduate levels. There are also professional courses in economics.
Also, read How to Start a Career With a Degree in Economics
Different Areas of Specialization in Economics
Economics is a broad course with areas of specialization to pick from.
- Information economics: specializes in analyzing information/data from economic activities to make economic decisions.
- Education economics: This is a branch of economics that specializes in analyzing and teaching different economics studies. This branch also specializes in applying economics to education policy.
- Urban economics: This is a branch of economics that specializes in studying the operation and development of urban cities.
- Science economics: this branch of economics specializes in using scientific methods related to economics to interact with economic situations. This branch of economics uses different approaches to conduct research in organizations on resources and financial management.
- Labor economics: this branch is also referred to as the economics of labor and it involves the microeconomics and macroeconomics of the labor market and how individuals react to the level of price change.
- Development economics: this can be said to be the study of economics in developing countries. It is generally the study of how you can use economic tools to promote the economic growth of a nation, increase the employment rate, and also the redistribution of wealth in society.
Also, read 10 Reasons Why You Should Study Law
In conclusion, economics is a way of life. As a student aspiring to study economics, there are different areas of specialization you can focus on. Economics helps one to understand market operations and how to apply problem-solving skills to the understanding of human behavior to manage its resources.
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