It may also help students reach a variety of specific career goals. For example, most majors take entry-level positions in business: they are hired by banks and other financial institutions, accounting and management consulting firms, and companies in manufacturing, public utilities and commerce. Some majors go on to earn graduate degrees in economics; they may then work in areas such as business, government service or academia. (Students considering graduate study in economics should consult with a department faculty member about the large number of mathematics courses that are highly recommended.)?

A background in economics is also excellent preparation for graduate study in law and business. Many of our graduates have gone on to reach exceptional levels of recognition and responsibility in education, government and industry. Students wishing to apply economics courses taken off-campus toward a major in economics must have prior approval from their economics advisor and the chair of the economics and management department.?

Writing in the Economics major represents an opportunity for students to effectively articulate economic reasoning. Writing in economics and management generally occurs in a variety of formats, some of these include empirical research papers, analytical papers, and analyses of news article or peer-reviewed journal articles. Writing in economics is technical and the terms used, even if they are familiar words like "demand" and "supply," have very precise and specific meanings in economics. The discipline of economics also heavily uses mathematics to add precision to arguments and hypotheses. Almost all economics papers use theoretical mathematical models or statistical inferences using data as a way to conduct research. The ability to draw inferences from mathematical and statistical methods is essential to learn to think like an economist.