BA vs BS in economics?

Colleges and Universities A-Z SUNY at Albany
1

Im starting my sophomore spring semester at Ualbany and I decided on majoring in economics. Ive done a lot of research, and have heard pros and cons about this major. Some say it’s easy for econ majors to get jobs and others say the job market is horrible. I don’t know what to believe at this point, so if anyone has advice, let me know your input on econ majors.

Anyways, since I don’t know what else to study, I’m sticking with economics for now, which seems like a good fit for me. My school has both a BA and BS program for economics and I don’t know which one to choose. It would be ideal to get a job with just a bachelors, which the school states is better with a BA. The BS program involves more math classes, which I’m good at, but it also requires to take higher level classes. I’m just wondering if it really effect me or make a difference in the future whether I get a BA or BS.

Also, since I’m required to take a minor, what do people suggest I take? Although it has nothing to do with my degree, I wanted to minor in Spanish since it’s one of the most common languages in the world. I have also heard that minors are useless after college so it would be nice to learn Spanish and get something out of it.

Any advice about majoring in economics would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

2

You posted a while ago, so you may have already decided, but for others - please, please, please find a full-time professor in the department (not an adjunct or instructor, since they are not as aware of the ins and outs of the university) and make an appointment to discuss this. I know someone who was a prof in this department until recently, and he said that undergrads almost never come to office hours for help. When profs go on leave to other universities with much smaller student populations, they have many more students come to their offices. The Economics Dept has so many students, so it may be difficult to feel comfortable with your profs, but do it anyway. This is part of what you are paying for, so take advantage of it! Plus, because so few undergrads get to know the profs, those that do stand out and are remembered come recommendation, grad school, etc. time - well, as long as you are polite and responsible.

3

^ Excellent advice. And knowing your profs is one of the small things that can affect getting a job, which is one of the OP’s concerns.