An economics major can lead in many directions. Where do you want to go?
Business career: Economics provides insight into the business environment, but practical preparation is needed, and a BSBA degree can provide it. The BSBA core curriculum includes introductory courses in all business disciplines to prepare students for a general business career; career prospects can be strengthened with a double major in Finance or Data Analytics.
Government: Many state and federal agencies and international organizations, like the U.N. and the World Bank, hire “analysts” or "research assistants" to crunch economic data. Students will want a BA or BSBA in economics and can strengthen their transcript with additional data analytics and computer science courses.
Graduate School in Economics: A graduate degree in economics is needed to become a professional economist. Graduate programs require advanced math and statistics; consider taking additional math or computer science courses.
Law school: Many lawyers and judges majored in economics as undergraduates; for example, Mark Cady, late Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, graduated from Drake with a major in Economics. Math is less critical for law school, but writing is vital. A BSBA degree will prepare students for corporate law, and a BA degree for students looking to double major in Political Science, History, etc.; take plenty of elective courses requiring intensive writing.
Graduate school in other fields: Economics is used as an analytical framework in fields like finance, public policy, and international relations, so studying economics as an undergraduate gives students an advantage in graduate school.
Most students who major in economics use their economic insight for careers in business, government, or law. And they earn substantially more than graduates of most other majors. Some students continue to graduate school to become professional economists in business, government, universities, or research institutes. What do these professional economists do?
For more about what economists do, watch the video from the American Economic Association.