Analytical skills, a strong quantitative background, and clarity and precision of expression are qualities developed in the economics major. Additionally, knowledge of the operations of complex economic systems and their institutions provides skills applicable to a wide variety of job responsibilities in a number of occupational areas.
The skills listed below are representative of those acquired from the study of economics, and may be applied in various occupations. For example, an investment banker, a technical writer, and an urban planner might use analytical thinking skills on a daily basis, although for different purposes.
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FINANCIAL
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COMMUNICATION
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- Maintaining accurate records
- Tabulating figures
- Manipulating numerical data
- Developing budgets
- Performing cost/benefit analyses
- Creating and evaluating financial reports
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- Writing reports/articles
- Summarizing
- Writing proposals
- Justifying a position
- Reading and interpreting reports
- Speaking persuasively
- Explaining ideas/goals
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RESEARCH/ANALYSIS
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PROBLEM SOLVING
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- Designing projects
- Generating/developing ideas
- Organizing materials
- Computing data
- Analyzing results
- Testing an idea/hypotheses
- Using computers
- Applying statistical methods
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- Assessing needs
- Defining problems
- Reviewing/evaluating goals
- Relating theory to practice
- Projecting/forecasting results
- Applying quantitative analysis
- Generating solutions
- Evaluating policies
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