Economics
- Division of Business Administration
- Success Stories
- Faculty Profiles
- CyberEconomics: An Analysis of Unintended Consequences by Professor Robert Schenk
- Academic Catalog: (Course Descriptions)
Division: Business Administration
Program: Economics
Economics - The study of how consumers and producers come together, make trades, get what they want, and manage their business within the social and legal contexts of their societies.
Why Economics?
Fact 1: Economics majors are well prepared both for entry-level positions in business and for graduate programs in business, economics, and law. In fact, Economics majors routinely top the charts with the highest scores on LSAT and GMAT exams.
Fact 2: According to the annual survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Economics majors receive average starting salaries well above the general average for college graduates. In fact, Economics majors receive higher starting salaries than most students majoring in other business-related subjects.
Fact 3: Because studying Economics offers highly-valued skills in writing, communicating, critical thinking, and problem solving, it is useful for a wide variety of career paths and interests. Here are just a few of the recognizable names who graduated as economics majors:
- John Elway, NFL quarterback
- Sandra Day-O'Connor, US Supreme Court Justice
- Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones
- George Schultz, former US Secretary of State
- Arnold Schwartzenegger, Actor/Producer/United States Governor
- Bernie Kosar, NFL quarterback
- William F. Buckley, journalist
- Steve Balmer, Executive VP, Microsoft
Why Economics at SJC?
Start Early: Economics is a "way of thinking," and students become better economic thinkers when they have more time to develop. Fortunately, SJC students get all four years to study concepts in their major. They start first semester, freshman year.
Variety: Economics majors at SJC take both required and elective courses that cover a wide range of economic activity - from how the Federal Reserve works, to international currency markets, to the economic analysis of professional sports leagues.
Dedication to Excellence: Economics students cap their studies with a live, community-based project in Seminar in Applied Economics. Recent projects have included an examination of the US steel industry and its consequences on the city of Gary, Indiana, and a market analysis study of the city of Rensselaer's potential for economic growth.
When studying Economics at SJC, you can specialize in one of two tracks: the Economic Specialist Track or the Business Analyst Track.
- Economic Specialist Track: If you choose a traditional Economics major and want to prepare for a job in industry, government, or education or are considering graduate studies in law or economics, then this track is for you.
- Business Analyst Track: This track incorporates courses from the Business Administration Division and is designed for students pursuing positions in business and financial markets and considering a master's degree in business administration (MBA).
Hands-on Experience: As an economics major or minor, you will always be welcome in the SJC Investment Club. Student members of the club manage a portfolio of $10,000 provided by the College's endowment.
Internships offer you the kinds of real-world experience that make your classroom education well rounded and relevant. SJC economics majors have found recent internships at banks, retailers, advertising agencies, and marine services. (Success Stories)
Faculty and Class Size: The economics professors bring both academic expertise and real world experience with them into the classroom. Beyond the principle courses, economics students study in comfortable classroom settings with about 10 other students. (Faculty Profiles)
