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Economists

Also called: Economic Analyst, Economic Consultant, Economist, Research Associate

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What they do:
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.

Knowledge

Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Business
  • accounting and economics
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics

Skills

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

Abilities

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

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Integrity
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software
  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand
Object or component oriented development software
  • Oracle Java Hot Technology
  • R Hot Technology In Demand

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
doctoral degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$105,630
$62,460
$193,690

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