Economics Major

<p>Hi...I'm new to this thing, but I figured this might be a good place to get some objective answers. So here goes...
1) Is a double major in economics and finance a good idea. I'd like to work in a government or journalism related job after college. However, I know jobs like these are hard to come by, so I'd like to keep my options open for a more traditional business career (analyst for a corporation, etc.)
2) How hard is Calc 2 at a major university? I'm decent at math, but I have to work hard to do well in math courses and I'm shying away from taking math in college.
3) Would a minor in Political Science w/a focus in International Relations be useful esp. for my aspirations?</p>

<p>Go for what you WANT to do. #3.</p>

<p>I vote for #3 also.</p>

<p>^^Are you guys retarded...it's not a vote; he's asking 3 separate questions.</p>

<p>(1) Economics and finance at *most<a href="pay%20attention%20to%20that%20word">/i</a> schools have the exact same core requirements, or ones that are very similar. You're not going to get 100% credit for all your courses applied to two majors, and because of that you might have to take some extra electives from the 'bottom of the barrel' in economics. I'd recommend you major in whatever is stronger at your school.</p>

<p>(2) It depends on the class, it depends on the teacher, it depends on the school. I don't find math enjoyable or easy, but I may very well go into something math heavy, and I'll probably just have to work harder than everyone else. Econometrics, which is something you'll want to study if you major in economics, is math heavy. Finance is also a lot of math, especially if it's not some business administration degree with a finance focus but a full-on financial economics/engineering program. Math is a prerequisite for the fields that make money, and it's something you're going to just have to do your best in. Take advantage of school offered tutoring, take advantage of professors' office hours, don't be afraid to ask questions.</p>

<p>(3) Minors are fine if you want to study the topic, but they're almost totally irrelevant in the job process. It's just a line on your transcript.</p>

<p>Calculus 1-3 at most colleges are easy</p>

<p>I am retarded. Do not under any circumstances make fun of me. Or im gonna tell my mommy :(</p>

<p>Hey guys...thanks for the replies. Any more advice!</p>

<p>I'm gonna have to go with #3 too</p>

<p>So I think I may have confused everyone! Oops...So I was just wanted a seperate answer to all 3 questions. If you can even answer just one of my questions, your advice will be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>many econ majors require up to calc 3...</p>

<p>Well I would actually be taking the Bachelor of Arts route in Economics. If I was to do a B.A. in Econ w/a quantitative focus then I would have to take Calc 2. If I did a B.A. in Econ w/o any quantitative focus then I would only need up to Calc 1 which I completed in hs. However I think the degree I would graduate with would be a Bachelor of Business because I am in our school's business school and Finance is my main major. This info might be irrelevant, but I thought I would just put it out there. Keep the responses coming!:)</p>

<p>I'm working on a B.A. in Economics. My school requires a semester of calc, and a semester of stats. If your looking to attend graduate school for Economics, then you should take as much math as possible. If your just wanting to get a B.A. in Economics then go straight into a job, or a MBA, then I wouldn't worry about the math. I don't really see how a minor in Poli Sci would help you find employment. Just focus on Economics and get a good GPA.</p>

<p>I am planning to attend The Harvard Extension School with a focus on the Social Sciences as a major. However, my real passion is to study Sociology. Thus I plan to take Calculus I, Statistics, and Micro/Macro Economics as a basic foundation towards my intended major.</p>

<p>My adivice to is to take Calculus III instead of Calculus II, because as a Economics major, you'll be focusing on Calculus of serveral variables and parial darivatives. So if you could pass Calculus I with an "A" average, ask your professor if you could skip Calculus II and take Calculus III?</p>

<p>I know that you could do this at Columbia University's Economics program.</p>

<p>I guess I'm little confused. There is no way on earth I would need to take calculus 3 for either the B.A. in econ w/a quantitative emphasis or the B.A. in econ w/o a quantitative emphasis. So whichever econ I majored in needs a minimal amount of math. But thanks for the advice everyone.</p>

<p>I seriously reccomend taking calc 3. Economics can get quite complicated. If you want to get a good job at McKinsey or Goldman-Sachs you are going to have to deal with financial derivatives and stuff which can get quite complicated.</p>