GTFO of Econ Major?

SpecialAgentPunk · 10-09-2009, 12:57 AM

A Teacher's View: The Myth of the Bachelor Degree

Quote:

"A degree in economics doesn't really prepare you to understand the economy very well."

These words of wisdom, according to an AP story, come from Josh Donahue, "23, who went on food stamps two weeks after leaving Oregon State University with an economics degree that he hoped to use for a job as a financial analyst. He's living with his aunt and uncle in Grants Pass, Ore., and looking for even a menial job."

Josh is the new poster boy for the massive inefficiency and inadequacy of America's K-16 education system. Clearly, no one in the two decades of Josh's life had any serious talks with him about who he is, what he wants, what he's good at, what a liberal education means, or how liberal arts degrees translate (or don't) into marketable skills. Josh came of age during an expanding economy based on false expectations of wealth, and he figured he'd study econ and then go make a killing selling stocks to middles class Roth IRA holders on his way to becoming the next Warren Buffett. Time for a reality check.

And also:

Quote:

Today, I was offered a position as a school crossing guard. I have a $200,000 degree in Economics from a top 20 University and was offered a position to hold a stop sign and wear a reflective vest. I was tempted to accept. FML

With other discussions that humanities (philosophy, english) and now even social science degrees are no longer in tune with the job market, I've been seriously considering switching over to business. What's the real scoop? Is an econ degree really seen as too theoretical and non-professional?

jonahrubin · 10-09-2009, 01:09 AM

No mention of GPA...that's an important factor...

Olivertwist · 10-09-2009, 11:00 AM

This is laughable. Don't make any judgments because some moron from Oregon State couldn't get a job. Getting a job is more than just holding a degree....

iTransfer · 10-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Degree does not equal job. Only jobs like engineering, accounting, nursing, and other specialized jobs require a specific degree and mandatory classes to take. Other than that it doesn't matter what you study. Just do well in school and try to develop skills that employers look for on the way. And there is more to it than academics in earning a job. There are skills that employers look for that you don't learn in school. That is why work experience/volunteering is usually required in earning a job.

sp1212 · 10-09-2009, 01:14 PM

Besides that, Poor Josh probably hasn't learned a single thing from any of his Econ classes.
I laughed at this line "Josh came of age during an expanding economy based on false expectations of wealth, and he figured he'd study econ and then go make a killing selling stocks to middles class Roth IRA holders on his way to becoming the next Warren Buffett. Time for a reality check."

Absolute idiot.

Techy233 · 10-09-2009, 01:15 PM

He wanted to immediately get a job as an analyst? That's laughable.

I couldn't find the ethos of the article either: it comes from a Colorado high school English teacher. Ok. No credentials What.So.Ever.

Interesting post though.

Will_S · 10-09-2009, 04:19 PM

Economics is still one of the best degrees to get job wise. It's better than every other social science and every humanities major. It's probably about tied or has a slight advantage against physics, math, and chemistry. It's also likely better than a number of business degrees such as international business, management, and marketing.

Now, Engineering is obviously a better degree job wise as is Accounting. I'm not an econ major but you'll be better off than 80% of the other kids at your typical school with a degree in economics assuming you have a similar GPA.

coolkidd123 · 10-10-2009, 04:36 PM

If you're going to be an econ major...you should consider either minoring or double majoring in something like comp sci, stats, math, physics.