B.A. in Economics, good degree?

[VictoryJuice]

Hey guys just looking on some feedback on a ba in econ. I'm attending UBC, and was thinking of majoring in econ, is it a good degree to have for jobs? is a bsc in econ better looking? Any feedback would be great, thanks fellas.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by VictoryJuice

Hey guys just looking on some feedback on a ba in econ. I'm attending UBC, and was thinking of majoring in econ, is it a good degree to have for jobs? is a bsc in econ better looking? Any feedback would be great, thanks fellas.

Any degree is good if you like the subject and want to work in it. With B.Econ. you can work as an analyst in many areas requiring statistical research and data analysis. If you like huge data sheets of numbers and charts, then yes, absolutely. Pay for an analyst in Calgary is not very high though.

[19Yzerman19]

It's a good degree if you're interested in the subject matter. If you're treating an arts undergraduate degree like you're in trade school, you're going to be disappointed.

[Locke]

Is it a good degree?

All degrees are 'good,' it just depends. What do you want to do?

The value of a degree depends on what you want to accomplish with it.

[Buff]

Getting a degree is the worst thing I've ever done in my life is something I hear people say several times per day. I'm tired of hearing it. Don't do it, I don't want to hear your belly aching either.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Buff

Getting a degree is the worst thing I've ever done in my life is something I hear people say several times per day. I'm tired of hearing it. Don't do it, I don't want to hear your belly aching either.

Working at the teen pregnancy clinic can be rough.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Commerce or Business Degree will probably have better job options.

[flamingchina]

I have a BA in econ, doing decently well myself. If you can do the BSc in econ go for it.
Generally the people that seem to be the most successful with economics are those that did more of the "quant" type courses, rather than the "social" type courses.

[killer_carlson]

Yes, it is a good degree, but don't kid yourself, it is a hard major. When I graduated (2000) at the U of C, only the engineering majors had a lower graduating GPA than economics majors (or so we were told). It is one of the few disciplines where you HAVE to be able to crunch complex numbers and have to be able to write clear, effective, coherent papers.

If you can, try to transfer to the U of C's Applied Energy Program in the department of economics. Great program, highly employable concentration after you graduate.

http://econ.ucalgary.ca/undergraduat...energy-program

[Northendzone]

Do like like figuring out the elasticity of demand and whatnot?

[VictoryJuice]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Do like like figuring out the elasticity of demand and whatnot?

lol, yeah dont mind it. thanks everyone for the feedback, appreciate it.

[Fire]

If you want to be bored to death it's the perfect degree.

[boogerz]

Have you considered a dual degree in economics and finance, or finance major with an econ minor?

Those two options would open up the most doors, job wise

[Clarkey]

For career opportunity and options after an undergrad degree in downtown Calgary I would rank it something like this;

1. Engineering
2a. B.Comm
2b. Econ
4. Geophysics/Geology (if the boom starts up bump this up to 1b)

There's a negative stigma with 'BA' degrees, sometimes the Econ degrees are part of the Business Faculty sometimes part of Social Science. I think you're better off with a B.Sc in Econ or B.Comm in Econ than a BA Econ from a purely resume/self marketing standpoint.

At the end of the day if you do any of those degrees above (or a myriad of others) and you're smart, hard working and personable you will rise to the top.

[justkidding]

Can I jump on the bandwagon and ask opinions on science degrees? My son is coming up to decision time for post secondary and is pretty good at science and it holds a lot of interest for him (except Biology). I don't know if he will have the marks or the desire to go into Engineering. What would be the options he should be looking at? A general science degree and then go from there?

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

For career opportunity and options after an undergrad degree in downtown Calgary I would rank it something like this;

1. Engineering
2a. B.Comm
2b. Econ
4. Geophysics/Geology (if the boom starts up bump this up to 1b)

There's a negative stigma with 'BA' degrees, sometimes the Econ degrees are part of the Business Faculty sometimes part of Social Science. I think you're better off with a B.Sc in Econ or B.Comm in Econ than a BA Econ from a purely resume/self marketing standpoint.

At the end of the day if you do any of those degrees above (or a myriad of others) and you're smart, hard working and personable you will rise to the top.

No way. BComm and Econ are not equal, at all. The opportunities will be better with a BComm. Econ says "I couldn't get into Mgmt" to many people.

Also I'd stick Medicine and Law above both of your 2's.

[Baxter Renegade]

Originally Posted by justkidding

Can I jump on the bandwagon and ask opinions on science degrees? My son is coming up to decision time for post secondary and is pretty good at science and it holds a lot of interest for him (except Biology). I don't know if he will have the marks or the desire to go into Engineering. What would be the options he should be looking at? A general science degree and then go from there?

He should become a chemist. There's good money in chemistry if you choose the right field to work in. Tell him to befriend his Mexican classmates if possible.

[j_j]

Just another opinion, but an informed one:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle14558219/

[GGG]

Originally Posted by justkidding

Can I jump on the bandwagon and ask opinions on science degrees? My son is coming up to decision time for post secondary and is pretty good at science and it holds a lot of interest for him (except Biology). I don't know if he will have the marks or the desire to go into Engineering. What would be the options he should be looking at? A general science degree and then go from there?

If he is interested in engineering and doesnt get in he should take the comparable science and math courses to first year eng and transfer in after year one.

I went to the U of S and did this as I didnt decide I wanted to do engineering until after the deadline. I was able to take 7 of 10 required classes for first year eng by taking the 2 semester physics, 2 math classes, chemistry and a few others. This way I still finished in four years.

[Papa Gino]

I recently graduated with a BA in Economics from UVIC, and it was a great decision. Minored in Business and Political Science as well, and recently landed a lucrative entry level job with an oil and gas company.

Most of the time, employers don't specifically ask for BA or BSC, they just ask whether it's a Bachelors/Undergrad or a Graduate degree. Guys I work with that have the same degree as me, in the same company that have stuck around for 3-4 years are already making 80-90. May not be the norm, but it's how you market it.

IE. On my resume, I have "Bachelor's degree in Econ with Business and Poli Sci minors". If an employer wants to clear it up with me whether it's BSc or BA I'd be happy to, but in my numerous interviews I've never encountered any questions like that. It's a pretty applicable degree that shows you have an aptitude to solve problems and deal with data, and there are lots of opportunities to move up as well.

Just my 2 cents from a recent grad from April.