Why Study Economics?

Economics is the study of how societies provide for the well-being of their citizens and residents as well as public policies to promote well-being. It is a discipline which examines the behaviour of consumers, employees, business, government and organizations and their interactions. How the economy performs – and provides us with the quality of life that we want - depends on how well all these different sectors interact.

Examining causal relationships – for example, whether increasing the money supply causes inflation or whether increasing the minimum wage causes poverty to fall - is a distinguishing feature of economics and forms an important part of its claim to be a social science. It is why the advice and knowledge of economists is so widely sought by businesses and governments.

Economics at UNBC recognizes the economy is also influenced by other broader social, political, cultural and technological forces. This means that as well as studying economic theory, students also understand how that theory can be used to make good policy and used in practice.

What can you do with a degree in Economics?

A degree in Economics gives you knowledge about the economy and set of useful analytical skills which are highly valued by employers. Economists are employed in many areas at all three levels of government, federal (for example, Statistics Canada, Human Resources Canada), provincial, and municipal, as well as in government agencies (such as the Bank of Canada, BC Hydro). Economists are often hired as Economic Development Officers to help towns attract businesses and plan future investments. Many economists work in the private sector as stockbrokers, tax analysts, investment advisors, and bank managers. In addition, a degree in Economics helps students obtain employment with international agencies such as the United Nations, as well as a variety of non-government agencies. Students graduating from UNBC in Economics are now employed in many of these areas. A degree in Economics is also good background for obtaining professional designations, professional degrees (such as Law), and graduate qualifications (such as Master in Economics or Public Policy).