Is this right for me? Double major in Math and Economics

<p>I'm a sophomore in college and I still have no idea what to major in. I'm definitely minoring in Japanese and French and I should finish both by next year. I have always loved foreign languages and I am doing it out of interest, not so much for work, although obviously I plan on using them.</p>

<p>Ideally I'd work in a business that'd have me traveling to Japan, France and Germany. I'd love to spend a portion of my life living in one of these countries. Maybe even get another degree overseas. </p>

<p>The main problem is that my college doesn't offer much. It's a liberal arts college, and I can't transfer anytime soon unless I want to commute for 2 hours back and fourth. So I am limited to very few majors that I'd consider marketable.</p>

<p>So, what will I be able to do with this double major? I know it's a lot of work. I'd single major in math, but I do not want to end up as a teacher. Same for economics. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>If you don’t want to double major, I would just do an economics major and you will be plenty marketable, especially with foreign language experience. However, if you do want to double major you will have plenty of options. Most people that double major in math and economics go to PhD programs in economics (PhD programs are very mathematically oriented). You will be suited for most analytical roles (data analyst, actuary, operations researcher, quant at a bank, etc.) Make sure to take a computer programming class or two also.</p>

<p>Thanks for the answer. I see you mention computer programming. My other option was double major in Math and Computer Science, but I’ve read good and bad things about the latter. I think I’d enjoy it a lot more, though, but economics sounds “safer”. However none of the careers you mentioned interest me… at least not in the near future. I’d like to travel a bit. I’d love to do international business, but the only college that offers it in my area is 2+ hours away. What do you think is a good alternative to that?</p>

<p>Why would you think Math + Computer Science was risky?</p>

<p>They are two degrees in very high demand. Math and computer science are used every day in business, and those people that can analyze data using mathematical concepts (along with the help of computer concepts) stand out from those that cannot.</p>

<p>Some resources to check out:
[Careers[/url</a>]
[url=&lt;a href=“http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~econ/u_career.htm]Department”&gt;http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~econ/u_career.htm]Department</a> of Economics @ San Diego State University](<a href=“American Economic Association”>American Economic Association)
[Portland</a> State Career Center | What Can I do With a Degree in Economics?](<a href=“http://www.pdx.edu/careers/what-can-i-do-degree-economics]Portland”>What Can I do With a Degree in Economics? | Portland State University)
[Careers</a> in Financial Economics, The Financial Economics Institute, Claremont McKenna College](<a href=“http://www.cmc.edu/fei/resources/careers.php]Careers”>http://www.cmc.edu/fei/resources/careers.php)
[Branding</a> Your Economics Major for the Job Search- Part 1 | Psychology Today](<a href=“http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/career-transitions/201009/branding-your-economics-major-the-job-search-part-1]Branding”>http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/career-transitions/201009/branding-your-economics-major-the-job-search-part-1)
[JET</a> Program - Official Website (USA)](<a href=“http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/index.html]JET”>http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/index.html)
[Calvin</a> College - Asian Studies - Career Opportunities](<a href=“http://www.calvin.edu/academic/asianstudies/careers/]Calvin”>http://www.calvin.edu/academic/asianstudies/careers/)
[Career</a> Paths at the National Security Agency (NSA) - Mathmatics](<a href=“http://www.nsa.gov/careers/career_fields/mathematics.shtml]Career”>National Security Agency Careers | Apply Now)
[International</a> Jobs and Careers Web Sites: All Countries, All Professions](<a href=“http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/careers/keywebsitesworldwide.shtml]International”>Top International Jobs and Careers Resources)
[Careers</a> in Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.toroidalsnark.net/mathcareers.html]Careers”>Careers in Mathematics)</p>

<p>Thank you for taking your time to give me all those links.</p>

<p>I’m registering for classes right now, and I really don’t want to start a major that I will end up changing.</p>

<p>I have calculus 1 down, now I am deciding between a computer class and an economics one. </p>

<p>@OminousRun: I’ve read that Computer Science is always changing, so all the knowledge I acquire now will be outdated in a few years. Also that many will end up working freelance. But please correct me if I’m wrong. :)</p>

<p>On a side note, is there much difference between Computer Science and Information Systems? I haven’t taken the time to look through the requirements, I will do that now.</p>

<p>Edit: Information Systems requires some different maths that I haven’t taken/plan on taking, and the one that I did take are not required. . . so that’s out.</p>

<p>What computer programming classes should an economics major take? Are they absolutely important?</p>

<p>Well here I am again changing my major.</p>

<p>I’m thinking of doing Business Administration now.</p>

<p>How does that compare with Math/Computer Science? Given that I aspire to do international business and use my language knowledge.</p>

<p>I know I ought to see my school’s academic adviser, I will do that in the near future.</p>