经济学phd 就业问题

立花道雪UID：114678

CAREER SERVICES
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL

GRADUATE STUDY IN ECONOMICS


As you approach your senior year and begin to think about a career, you will consider what you can do with an economics major. In fact, your education has enabled you to develop useful analytical, quantitative and communications skills that should be attractive to employers in such areas as business, government, finance, consulting, education and law. For ideas, you might want to look at the positions take by recent Penn economics majors:
www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/college/majors/econ.html


In addition, many of you will find that your economics majors have prepared you well for graduate study. B.A.s in economics have an excellent foundation for graduate training in law, business administration, public policy, international affairs, urban studies, environmental policy, health policy, development studies, to mention a few programs popular with economics majors. To check out the range of graduate programs attended by recent Penn economics majors, please go to:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/career ... s_by_major_2001.htm


Graduates who enter programs in these fields frequently work for 2-3 years before applying. Since several of the programs are professional or terminal masters, admissions committees generally prefer that applicants bring practical experience to the classroom, along with an obvious commitment to the field. In addition, it is important to do well on required standardized tests, to submit a strong transcript, 3 letters of recommendation addressing educational and work experience, and write well-reasoned, articulate admissions essays, including one that traces your background and why this is the right program for you at this point in time.


Graduate Programs in Economics

A few of you may have enjoyed your study of economics to such an extent that you may be considering becoming a professional economist. Economists work in a broad range of institutions - in business, government and academia. Typically they are credentialed with a master’s or a Ph.D. in the discipline.

For more information on business economics see The National Association for Business Economics website.

For ideas about the types of jobs available to economists working in government, see: www.usajobs.opm.gov and http://www.federalreserve.gov/careers/info.cfm?WhichCategory=1


Master’s of Economics

Individuals who are interested in working as an economist in government or business, especially starting out in the field, may want the generalist training of a master’s degree rather than the high level of specialization afforded by a Ph.D. A master’s is a degree frequently held by middle and top management in companies. Economists in business settings collaborate in teams with investment bankers, lawyers, accountants, treasurers, engineers and others.

It is important to note that the more prestigious economics graduate programs in the United States typically do not offer separate master’s degrees. Rather, they award a master’s degree a year or two after a student enters a doctoral program as part of the progression towards a Ph.D. If an individual has only a master’s degree from such a program, that means s/he did not complete the Ph.D. In Europe, however, there are numerous well respected master’s programs in economics, independent of doctoral programs. These may provide one with a useful credential work subsequently in the U.S., or for admittance into an American Ph.D. program.


For information on graduate programs in England see:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,3566,00.html


Typically, master’s programs strengthen training in economic theory and econometrics, teach how to conduct and evaluate research, and are often oriented towards policy development and analysis. Sometimes, individuals opt for a master’s if they are not sure they are ready for doctoral education and want to test the waters. Or, they may use it to strengthen an eventual candidacy for a Ph.D. with success at graduate level courses. Keep in mind, however, that in most places master’s degrees in the U.S. and abroad are not funded by university or departmental fellowships, so you will have to pay for the degree yourself, or have your education subsidized by a company or organization (and that is not easy to arrange.)


It is essential, when applying to graduate school in economics, that you to consult with faculty in the economics department with whom you have taken classes or done research, along with the undergraduate chair. They can tell you how to best prepare your candidacy (see also: http://www.econ.upenn.edu/Underg ... udyinEconomics.htm), and direct you to specific graduate programs suited to your interests. For further information about graduate programs in economics, see:

www.gradschools.com/listings/menus/econ_menu.html


Admittance to M.A. programs in economics is less competitive than to Ph.D. programs. Nevertheless, to be attractive, applicants should have completed intermediate level courses in micro and macro economics, in quantitative methods, and economic theory. At least one year of college-level calculus and linear algebra are also essential, along with statistics. Requirements vary by program and it is important to be especially clear about the required level of preparation in mathematics before applying.

Other factors to consider in admission: you should have a g.p.a. of 3.0 or above (the more competitive the program, the higher the average g.p.a.), along with a strong showing in the quantitative section of the GRE. Three to four letters of recommendation from faculty are in order, and a statement of purpose that explains your preparation and goals clearly.

A master’s in economics usually takes two years.* A survey conducted by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) in 2000 found that business economists had a median base salary of $85,000 per year. Median base salary and additional compensation have doubled since 1980. Other information from the 2000 survey: the largest employers of business economists were consulting firms, government (central banks), financial institutions and the insurance industry.** In 2000, new economists with a master’s degree were most sought after at a starting salary of $44,995. By comparison, new Ph.D.s were able to command a starting salary of $59,988. (For more information, see “Careers in Business Economics” on the National Association for Business Economics website.

In the past five years, a sample of individuals with master’s from the Department of Economics at Penn shows that graduates have taken positions as Risk Analyst at PNC Bank; as economist at The Conference Board; as a member of the technical staff at Tellabs, Inc.; and as Assistant Secretary for Commerce for the Government of Hong Kong.


Ph.D. in Economics

Increasingly, the analytical demands and range of knowledge required of a professional economist are such that doctoral training is becoming imperative for advancement to the upper levels of a professional career in the field. A Ph.D. program is geared primarily to develop your skills as a research scientist, and the degree is, of course, essential for academic positions.

Achieving admission into a prestigious Ph.D. program is extremely challenging and requires extensive preparation in economic theory and mathematics. Students often underestimate the level of “mathematical maturity” that they need to enter and succeed in a doctoral program. (This includes, at a minimum, two years of calculus, courses in linear algebra, statistics, and real analysis – the latter is a junior plus level course in a math major’s curriculum.) In fact, quantitative skill is so crucial that a major in mathematics may best prepare a candidate for top-ranking economics programs. Student should also have taken undergraduate economics courses in micro and macro theory, and econometrics, at the highest level possible. (see http://www.econ.upenn.edu/Underg ... udyinEconomics.htm)

In addition to a strong record in the areas above, experience with research may make you attractive to admissions committees. One way to achieve this goal is to qualify for the honors program in economics and undertake an undergraduate thesis. Other factors that will help your candidacy: a strong G.P.A.(roughly 3.7 plus?), distinguished grades in your quantitative and theoretical courses, and GRE scores above 700 (close to 800 in the quantitative section. The analytical section of the GRE has recently been replaced with an essay and there is no longer a subject test in economics.)

Students applying to Ph.D. programs should have 3 or 4 letters of recommendation from faculty in economics, or a closely related field (like math), with whom you have taken classes, worked on an honors thesis, or assisted in research. If you have been doing these activities, chances are you have already been mentored by your faculty and they will be happy to support your candidacy if they feel that you are ready to move on to a Ph.D. program. If there seems to be hesitation on the part of your recommender about your readiness for graduate school, don’t be pushy about a letter. Nothing can derail your application to graduate school as effectively as a lukewarm, or negative, letter of recommendation.

In addition, your economics faculty at Penn will guide you in your selection of graduate programs. Choosing the right Ph.D. program is essential to long-term academic success. This really means finding the right people to work with – individuals whose research interests match yours and who can give you the methodological and theoretical training to achieve your research goals. Your graduate advisors will support you through the progressive stages of your graduate curriculum, ensure your funding, guide you towards fruitful areas of research, and provide critical feedback on your work. Your relationship with your graduate advisor will be that of an apprenticeship and you want to be sure that the fit is right. Since your advisors at Penn are familiar with their colleagues in the field, they will be able to help you look to the departments that would be appropriate for you.


A few other points: given the intensity of the competition to get into Ph.D. programs, it may be helpful to supplement your undergraduate major with a few Ph.D. level courses before applying, or even to get a master’s first. These are also the kinds of issues that you should discuss with your faculty in the Economics department.

Finally, occasionally the question comes up: should I work a year or two before applying to graduate school? In general, this is not regarded as useful by Ph.D. programs – unless you are able to obtain work allowing you to do serious economic research, e.g. at the IMF or a Federal Reserve Bank. Although taking time off from schooling has its benefits, including enabling you to get a clearer vocational focus or simply allowing you a breather from the intensity of high level academic work, faculty in economics departments are concerned that taking more than two years off will erode your mathematical skills and thus hinder your performance in graduate school. This is something to think through carefully.


For websites with information on Ph.D. programs in economics see:

http://www.albany.edu/econ/eco_phds.html

www.gradschools.com/listings/menus/econ_menu.html


On the other end of the Ph.D. process, upon graduation, the median salary offered in 2000 for graduates of MIT’s Ph.D. program was $77,000 in academic positions, and $74,000 in non-teaching positions. A sample of Penn Ph.D.s over the past five years below gives an idea of the range of job possibilities available with the degree. (Data from Career Services multi-year alumni questionnaires.)


GSAS 1998 Econ

PhD
Bank of Italy Research Department Economist
Federal Reserve Board Research and Statistics Economist
International Monetary African Economist
New York City Senior Economist
Skadden Arps State Corporate Attorney
Texas A&H University Economics Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota Economics Assistant Professor
Washington School of Business Asst. Professor


GSAS 1999 Econ

PhD
University of Michigan Economics Assistant Professor
Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University Economics and Associate Professor
Bear Stern Inc. S.S.T


GSAS 2000 Econ

PhD (5 reported, 1 listed no position)
Instituto Technologico Autonomo de Mexico Business Professor of Finance
Michigan State University Economics Assistant Professor
Kyoto University Institute of Economic Lecturer
US Gov't, Congressional Budget Office Macroeconomics Principal Analyst


GSAS 2001 Econ

PhD
New York University Department of Economics Assistant Professor
Berkeley Policy Associates
Bank of Thailand Monetary Poilcy Economic Analyst
The University of Texas at Austin Economics Assistant Professor
Competition Economics, Inc. Senior Economist
George Washington University Economics Assistant Professor
London School of Economics Economics Lecturer
University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Economics Assistant Professor
Charles River Associates


GSAS 2002 Econ

MA (4 reported, 3 listed no position)
Hong Kong Government Comm and Industry Bureau Asst Secy for Comm

PhD (6 reported, 1 listed no position)
University of Michigan Economics Asst Prof
IMF African Division Economist
IMF African Dpt Economist
IMF Research Dpt Economist
Ziff Brothers Investments Econ Research Asst

For 2002, median salaries for all Economics Ph.D.s graduating from Penn was $80,000.


Useful Websites:

http://www.eco.utexas.edu/joe/articles/2002/2002-09-cawley.html

http://www.rje.org/main/iolinks.html

http://nber.org/candidates




*A recommended course of study for a master’s degree in business economics by the National Association for Business Economics includes the following courses: micro and macroeconomic theory, statistics and econometrics, business cycle analysis/forecasting, economic history, monetary policy, fiscal policy, international economics, tax and regulatory issues, accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior/ human resource management/ operations management. See “Careers in Business Economics” cited above.

**Salaries break down as follows: economists in the securities and investments sector were the most highly paid, with a median base salary of $107,500 and additional compensation from primary employment of $50,000. Economists in manufacturing followed, with a median salary of $103,000 and additional compensation of $33,750. Next in line were economists in consulting, with a median base salary of $99,999 and additional compensation of $19,000. Economists in government had a median base salary of $74,500, and in academia, $70,000.

cloudy1985UID：2192041

好帖啊 大家都应该看看
上学归本到底还是为了就业

[ 本帖最后由 cloudy1985 于 2007-4-15 20:05 编辑 ]

ffflllyyyUID：2218364

感谢楼上

snaillsUID：2196722

thx.

lovebelief28UID：2326149

3Q

咯噔UID：2114564

haotie!

yuzhenjjx2000UID：2270296

zan,赞

我是柔真UID：2212205

Thanks.

gepoohn1986UID：2294575

3x!!