Becoming an Economist: What's Involved?

I've got an interest in economics and was wondering what being an economist actually involves. What kind of work do they do day-to-day, and what should I study in college if I want to pursue this career?

An economist's job primarily involves conducting research, analyzing data, and predicting market trends. On a day-to-day basis, they might assess current economic situations, forecast trends, conduct surveys, analyze data using mathematical models, present their findings in reports or articles, and occasionally, provide advice to businesses, organizations, or government entities. Some economists even focus on teaching, while others work with big data to understand patterns.

If you're planning to pursue a career as an economist, you'll want to focus on a few key areas during your college studies. These include:

1. Undergraduate Degree: You should consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics first. This will provide you with a solid foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics, probability, statistics, and econometrics.

2. Higher Education: Most high-level economist roles require a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in economics. During your graduate studies, you'll delve deeper into economic theories, concepts, and statistical analysis methods.

3. Math Skills: Economics involves a significant amount of math, so taking additional courses in calculus and statistics will be beneficial.

4. Programming Skills: Since you'll be working a lot with data, understanding statistical software and learning programming languages like Python or R can be a plus.

5. Internships: Try to secure internships or entry-level positions that can give you practical experience in economic research, data analysis, and forecasting.

Remember, becoming an economist generally requires a long-term commitment to education and developing a comprehensive understanding of the global economy. There are economists who work in numerous sectors, including government, academia, finance, healthcare, and more, so there are many paths you can take depending upon your specific interests in the field.