What minor would best compliment an Economics degree?

College Majors
1

<p>I'm a sophomore in college at the moment and I have decided to pursue a degree in Economics.</p>

<p>I am not after an Economics degree to go into banking. I would like to work in an area where my economic analysis could benefit a community and have a real impact (not saying banking can't do that but it's just not my area of interest). Maybe working for a non-profit or the government would help me achieve this. I have also considered working outside of the US. My parents are from El Salvador and I have considered travelling to a Latin American country and helping out communities over there so they don't feel the need to come here.</p>

<p>My question is, what kind of minor would help me achieve this. I am considering non-profit admin but I don't know if it would benefit me at this moment. For instance, getting a degree in Mathematics might go well with my Economics degree and might be more attractive to grad schools because it's a STEM degree. It might also boost my chances of getting a scholarship. There is the option of studying Math as an undergrad and pursuing Economics for grad school. In the process, studying Math in depth might also make me a better Economist than studying something like non-profit admin. </p>

<p>The current minors I'm considering are (these are degrees offered by Oregon universities since that's where I reside):</p>

<p>Math (pure or applied, don't know which one is better with an Econ degree)
Non-profit administration
Planning, Public Policy, Mgmt.
Operations Management
Statistics</p>

<p>Are there any I'm missing that might be a good fit?</p>

<p>Anyway, I know this is ultimately my choice but I just wanted to see if there's anyone that would be willing to share their insight and make my choice a little easier.</p>

<p>P.S. If anyone could answer the question, does pure or applied math go better with an Econ degree, I would appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>Have you considered something like sociology and/or (cultural/social) anthropology? It’s more of a complement to economics, rather than a stepping stone toward it, like math would be.</p>

3

<p>A UN economist I know once said that she would enthusiastically hire a philosophy degree.</p>

<p>That said, a degree is a credential, and I would look at what the credential’s value is, most of all. Mathematics, correctly, makes you more eligible for grad school. The other degrees you mention are diverse in content - to the point where soc students don’t enjoy planning etc. - but credential-wise, the same. You’re not gonna learn how to help people in college. You won’t help people by learning about whatever you are learning. Probably, as the average undergrad student, you won’t learn anything at all.</p>

<p>If you have a specific area of interest, research that area, ask people in that area to tell you about their backgrounds. If you don’t have a specific area of interest, do something that you think is either useful (hireable/gradschool-able) or interesting. It’s pointless to speculate on what would be most useful to you in your current situation of mind.</p>

<p>What kind of math you take depends on what kind of economics you want to do.</p>

4

<p>Green or Renewable Energy.</p>