Career Overview

Economists study how people, businesses, and governments make decisions about money, resources, jobs, trade, and markets. They collect and analyze data, build models, spot trends, and use statistics and technology to explain what is happening in the economy and what might happen next. Economists can work on everything from business strategy and finance to climate, healthcare, technology, and public policy.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, finance, or a related field can lead to some entry-level opportunities. Many economist positions, especially research and advanced analytical roles, require a master’s degree, while some positions require a Ph.D. Strong skills in mathematics, statistics, data analysis, and computer-based tools are especially valuable.

Future Outlook

Economists will continue to be important as organizations use larger amounts of data to understand markets, predict trends, manage risk, and make better decisions. Growing use of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and economic modeling is creating new ways to study complex problems. Opportunities are likely to be strongest for people who combine economics with statistics, data analysis, technology, and strong communication skills.

Work Environment

Economists usually work in offices, research environments, financial organizations, government, consulting firms, universities, and technology-driven businesses. They may work independently or with teams that include data scientists, statisticians, business leaders, and policy experts. Much of the work involves analyzing data, using statistical software, building models, and presenting findings through charts, reports, and presentations.

Recommended High School Courses

• Business
• Calculus
• Communication
• Economics
• Computer Applications
• English
• Statistics
• Algebra 2