John Maynard Keynes said, "The theory of economics does not furnish a body of settled conclusions immediately applicable to policy. It is a method rather than a doctrine, an apparatus of the mind, a technique which helps its possessor to draw correct conclusions." Alfred Marshall defined economics as ". . . a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life."

An economics degree is a general degree designed to teach problem solving techniques in addition to basic economic principles. This is unlike accounting or engineering degrees which are designed to achieve proficiency in a specific set of skills. As a result, you will take a smorgasbord of courses such as statistics, mathematics, computer science, and finance among others. Your career goals will dictate the exact composition of these courses.

Economics majors are found in a wide range of careers, including those not labeled as economist. There are three general categories of economists: business economists, government economists, and academic economists. Each applies the economic approach to decisions in a different environment.

The National Association for Business Economists (NABE) supports a website at http://www.nabe.com/careers.htm. Business economists work in all the sectors of the economy: mining, manufacturing, insurance, banking, retailing, and other kinds of organizations. They also work for trade associations and consulting firms.

Economists employed in government (federal, state and local) serve in a wide variety of positions involving analysis and policy. Two websites specifically address employment in government. They are: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov and http://www.bog.frb.fed.us.

Some students go to post-graduate studies in economics. Many of these become academic economists. Employment opportunities in the area can be found at http://www.eco.utexas.edu/joe.

Several organizations exist to support women and minorities in the profession of economics. The National Economics Association (NEA) and the Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession (CSWEP) are two such organizations.

The following were economics majors in college. See more at http://www.marietta.edu/~ema/econ/famous.html.

George Herbert Walker Bush
Ronald Regan
Ted Turner
Mick Jagger
John Elway
Bernie Kosar
Tiger Woods
Lionel Richie
Scott Adams