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1
Posted on 4/19/10 at 8:30 pm to Greenspan
Economics is a valuable degree. Don't listen to the votech advice you're getting on this page. Having an economics degree does not sentence you to being an economist. It is a rigorous applied science. It lays an excellent foundation for a host of graduate degrees (inclding MBAs, higher level math, JDs, etc.). And it will serve you well for a variety of entry-level jobs in the business world.
Go to the best school that you can get into and that you can reasonably afford. LSU is a good school, and for entry-level positions in Louisiana, it's probably as good as any other. But don't let people tell you that there is no difference between LSU and higher-ranked schools. You never know where you'll end up, and your first job is likely not to be your last.
For what it's worth, my economics degree from LSU has served me well. It taught me a basic analytical frame work for how people make decisions in the real world. And through the curriculum as a whole, I learned a lot about how businesses operate, basic accountng principles, and decision sciences. After LSU I went to a prestigious law school, and I now practice at a big law firm. I have never regretted my undergraduate studies and never felt like I was at an educational disadvnatage as compared to my peers.
Go to the best school that you can get into and that you can reasonably afford. LSU is a good school, and for entry-level positions in Louisiana, it's probably as good as any other. But don't let people tell you that there is no difference between LSU and higher-ranked schools. You never know where you'll end up, and your first job is likely not to be your last.
For what it's worth, my economics degree from LSU has served me well. It taught me a basic analytical frame work for how people make decisions in the real world. And through the curriculum as a whole, I learned a lot about how businesses operate, basic accountng principles, and decision sciences. After LSU I went to a prestigious law school, and I now practice at a big law firm. I have never regretted my undergraduate studies and never felt like I was at an educational disadvnatage as compared to my peers.
This post was edited on 4/19/10 at 8:48 pm
Posted on 4/19/10 at 8:35 pm to The King
quote:Show me where anyone said that in this thread.
But don't let people tell you that there is no difference between LSU and higher-ranked schools.
This post was edited on 4/19/10 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 4/19/10 at 8:46 pm to Greenspan
quote:
Show me where anyone said that in this thread.
Here: "If you plan on living in LA, there isn't really a reason to go anywhere other than LSU."
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:17 pm to The King
quote:
Here: "If you plan on living in LA, there isn't really a reason to go anywhere other than LSU."
I would say that is pretty true. An LSU degree is respected enough in LA that it is extremely hard to justify spending $160k to attend an elite, private institution.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:24 pm to The King
quote:
Economics is a valuable degree. Don't listen to the votech advice you're getting on this page. Having an economics degree does not sentence you to being an economist.
Definitiely not. In fact, if you get an undergrad in econ and end up becoming an actual economist, you did pretty fricking well.
quote:
It is a rigorous applied science.
At some schools (like ivys), possibly, at LSU, no.
quote:
It lays an excellent foundation for a host of graduate degrees (inclding MBAs, higher level math, JDs, etc.). And it will serve you well for a variety of entry-level jobs in the business world.
Econ will do absolutely nothing to prepare you for an MBA. You need high-level math to be an economist. Taking undergrad econ does not prepare you to take high-level math, whereas something like physics or engineering actually will.
quote:
But don't let people tell you that there is no difference between LSU and higher-ranked schools.
Right. No one just told him to go to West Point or UC. Did you read any of this thread?
quote:
For what it's worth, my economics degree from LSU has served me well. It taught me a basic analytical frame work for how people make decisions in the real world.
What high-level math did it prepare you for?
quote:
And through the curriculum as a whole, I learned a lot about how businesses operate, basic accountng principles, and decision sciences.
So you learned a little about a lot, and not enough about any of them to get a job doing any of them. Yes, that's perfect for an entry level job.
quote:
After LSU I went to a prestigious law school, and I now practice at a big law firm.
Ah, well that explains it.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:41 pm to kfizzle85
damn fizzle, you are just dropping the hammer tonight.Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:46 pm to kfizzle85
You have a great deal of control over how rigorous the curriculum is--or least you did when I attended. I took high level calculus (not calculus for business students), linear algebra, statistics, and econometrics (not required but available to undergrad who wanted to take graduate level classes). You can obtain an economics degree without taking high-level math, but the professors at LSU used to identify the high performing students and direct them to a more rigorous curriculum so that they would have a hope of advancing in the field if they wanted to.
I read the entire thread and I supported my statement by quoting to a statement that I took issue with.
I have no idea what you think you've proven. Entry level jobs are what recent college graduates get. The primary purpose of an education is to teach intellectual discipline--how to reason, how to put human events in proper perspective, etc. College is not intended simply to prepare students for a given vocation.
I read the entire thread and I supported my statement by quoting to a statement that I took issue with.
I have no idea what you think you've proven. Entry level jobs are what recent college graduates get. The primary purpose of an education is to teach intellectual discipline--how to reason, how to put human events in proper perspective, etc. College is not intended simply to prepare students for a given vocation.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:48 pm to Greenspan
I'm happy to hear other people's opinions, but if you're going to mis characterize the other perfectly reasonable opinions of others AND be a prick about it, I'm going to be a prick back.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:58 pm to kfizzle85
quote:Saying moronic things with confidence doesn't make them any less moronic. You have never met me, and you have no idea what you're talking about.
So you learned a little about a lot, and not enough about any of them to get a job doing any of them. Yes, that's perfect for an entry level job.
For what it's worth, I took a year to figure out what I wanted to do with my life after graduating with an economics degree from LSU. I took a research position with NOAA working on a nonindigenous species project. Meanwhile, I applied to graduate and professional schools. I could have gone to some prestigous graduate programs in economics, but I chose law school. One of my economics professors was disappointed with that decision and strongly encouraged me to take a position with the Federal Reserve. It just wasn't as interesting to me as the law, so I chose another path. But it's hardly the case that I had no other options.
Any of those options would have been intellectually challenging and they would have lead to great careers. I don't feel like I would have been in a substantially different position if had chosen a different major.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:58 pm to The King
quote:
high level calculus (not calculus for business students), linear algebra, statistics, and econometrics
Pretty standard math for anyone doing business/economics. The math that is impressive is differential equations, real analysis, Calculus III, etc. Econometrics is pretty tough so I will acknowledge that class.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:58 pm to kfizzle85
quote:What are you talking about?
I'm happy to hear other people's opinions, but if you're going to mis characterize the other perfectly reasonable opinions of others AND be a prick about it, I'm going to be a prick back.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 9:59 pm to The King
quote:
Saying moronic things with confidence doesn't make them any less moronic. You have never met me, and you have no idea what you're talking about.
For what it's worth, I took a year to figure out what I wanted to do with my life after graduating with an economics degree from LSU. I took a research position with NOAA working on a nonindigenous species project. Meanwhile, I applied to graduate and professional schools. I could have gone to some prestigous graduate programs in economics, but I chose law school. One of my economics professors was disappointed with that decision and strongly encouraged me to take a position with the Federal Reserve. It just wasn't as interesting to me as the law, so I chose another path. But it's hardly the case that I had no other options.
Any of those options would have been intellectually challenging and they would have lead to great careers. I don't feel like I would have been in a substantially different position if had chosen a different major.
So it sounds like you graduated at the very top of your class with great exam scores, which opened a ton of doors for you. In general, economics is not going to open that many doors for your average or even above average students--especially on the national level.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 10:00 pm to The King
quote:
I read the entire thread and I supported my statement by quoting to a statement that I took issue with.
Which was that, if you're going to stay in Louisiana, why would you spend 160k at a private school, and if you're going to go out of the state, your best bet is to do exactly the opposite, and go to the best school that you can. Please tell me what is incorrect about that.
quote:
I have no idea what you think you've proven. Entry level jobs are what recent college graduates get. The primary purpose of an education is to teach intellectual discipline--how to reason, how to put human events in proper perspective, etc. College is not intended simply to prepare students for a given vocation.
I'm not out to "prove" anything. Half of the people on this board are grad students or seniors. I can tell you matter of factly that entry level jobs today look for kids that have hard skills, whether you believe it or not makes zero difference, because I know you're not looking for an entry level job, while all of the people in this thread are. There's nothing to prove, it is an opinion grounded in fact. Employers could not give a frick if you know "how to put human events in proper perspective." I don't know when you graduated, but that's simply the reality of the situation for a college graduate in 2010. Major in a soft science or liberal art, and be prepared to not be employed.
If you plan to go to get a PhD, then go waste 4 years on an econ degree, since you won't need to find a job when you graduate from undergrad. Getting a PhD is an entirely different scenario, I don't think anyone here would suggest that an economics PhD is worthless. However, if you are planning on doing anything less than a masters, you're setting yourself up for failure. Your opinion of what college should be might be pure and intrinsically correct, but the modern world demands people graduate with the ability to do something concrete. You will not get that from an undergrad econ degree (which is probably why you went to law school).
Posted on 4/19/10 at 10:01 pm to lynxcat
quote:Maybe so. It's been a while, but I remember that the math courses required for business students were sort of junior versions of the calculus and statistics classes that took through the math department. Econometrics was one of the most challenging courses that I took at any level. I couldn't tell you the first thing about it today though.
Pretty standard math for anyone doing business/economics. The math that is impressive is differential equations, real analysis, Calculus III, etc. Econometrics is pretty tough so I will acknowledge that class.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 10:03 pm to The King
quote:
Saying moronic things with confidence doesn't make them any less moronic. You have never met me, and you have no idea what you're talking about.
You're right, I'm being a prick, I acknowledge that.
quote:
Any of those options would have been intellectually challenging and they would have lead to great careers. I don't feel like I would have been in a substantially different position if had chosen a different major.
Absolutely, and if you think someone getting an undergrad in Econ from anywhere that isn't an Ivy, or at the very least, getting a PhD from any school, you've lost touch with the difficulty of the entry level job market.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 10:14 pm to lynxcat
quote:It is true that I graduated at the top of my class and that I had good test scores. In my experience, those are the far more relevant factors.
So it sounds like you graduated at the very top of your class with great exam scores, which opened a ton of doors for you. In general, economics is not going to open that many doors for your average or even above average students--especially on the national level.
Study whatever it is that you love, and kick arse at it. Demonstrate to people that you have a curious mind and that you will succeed in whatever environment you find yourself in. Trust me, your work ethic and demonstrated academic credentials are far more important than your major. I've been around the block enough to see it in practice. (The obvious exceptions are for undergraduate degrees that are quasi-professional in nature (e.g., accounting or engineering)).
Don't get a fetish about the salary paid at your first job (or the salaries that your classmates earn at their first jobs). It's a marathon, not a race. Learn how to think, and don't worry about overly specialized vocational skills while you are in college. They'll probably be completely irrelevant 10 years after you graduate. But your work ethic and you intellectual horsepower will never leave you.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 10:27 pm to kfizzle85
quote:It is a tough market, and I feel for you guys. This is just one opinion, but I think your GPA and other measures of your work ethic and intelligence are far more important than you major. If faced with an option of hiring three candidates for a business positon at my firm, one with a business degree, one with an econ degree, and one with a finance degree, I'd chose the one who was smartest and who had the best work ethic.
Absolutely, and if you think someone getting an undergrad in Econ from anywhere that isn't an Ivy, or at the very least, getting a PhD from any school, you've lost touch with the difficulty of the entry level job market.
This post was edited on 4/19/10 at 10:28 pm
Posted on 4/19/10 at 10:42 pm to The King
I don't disagree that GPA and "intelligence" are of the utmost importance. If you have 2.0 in any major, you're screwed. If you want to be in academia (there's nothing wrong with that), getting an econ degree is fine. You're staying in school forever anyway. Trying to get a job as undergrad with an econ degree from a non-top-x school is tough. I realize you did, but you were hired in a completely different business climate. People got degrees in History went and worked on Wall Steet in the 70s. That shite just does not fly anymore. I realize TulaneTigerFan's buddy managed to get a job at Blackrock (since he always mentions it in these threads), but that is a gigantic exception to the rule. Spend college having fun, but if you pick a non-technical major, be prepared to go to school for at least another two years just to catch up with the people who didn't. It'll take you years to catch up to them in the professional world.
Posted on 4/19/10 at 10:46 pm to kfizzle85
quote:Easy now. I'm not that old.
People got degrees in History went and worked on Wall Steet in the 70s.
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