Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

On the job, you would:

• Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
• Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.
• Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.

Education

• doctoral degree
• master's degree

Math and Science

• arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Business

• accounting and economics

Arts and Humanities

• English language

Engineering and Technology

• computers and electronics

Basic Skills

• reading work related information
• thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

• noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

• thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
• figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Investigative

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

• Analytical Thinking
• Achievement/Effort
• Persistence
• Initiative
• Integrity
• Independence

Verbal

• read and understand what is written
• communicate by speaking

Math

• choose the right type of math to solve a problem
• add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Ideas and Logic

• make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
• use rules to solve problems