Career as an Economist: Eye on Economy
The Lowdown
Economics is the study of how people choose to use scarce resources to meet competing desires. Resources include money, property and time. It concerns itself with economic growth, welfare, inter-country economic relations, and globalisation, including inter-country trade. The focus might have remained the same over time but the technology of economic enquiry has changed due to what is called econometrics. Unlike other social sciences, it can use mathematical and statistical tools and find precise answers with, of course, some degree of error
Clockwork
9am: Call up traders and sales people in the treasury
10 am: Prepare report on market views and send to clients
11 am: Write research reports on topical issues, give opinions and forecasts
12 pm: Analyse data and trends
2 pm: Lunch
3 pm: Client calls/meet policymakers/ give a sound byte to the press
5 pm: Apprise senior management of the market and economic developments
The Payoff
In academics, an assistant professor can make around Rs 6 lakh per annum. An associate professor can rake in upwards of around Rs 10 lakh per annum. A professor can earn as much as around Rs 15 lakh per annum. While as per industry standards, an entry level economist can start with approximately Rs 7 lakh per annum. As one reaches the middle management, they can expect to earn around Rs 12 lakh per annum. At the senior level, sky is the limit.
Skills/Traits
- An enquiring mind with a focus on economic problems, including theoretical issues
- Since the technology of economics is changing, a good background of mathematical, statistical tools and econometrics are essential
- An analytical approach to solve problems is a prerequisite
- Good quantitative and reasoning skills to analyse data from reports and other sources
- Good comprehension skills to deduce conclusions
Getting There
After completing Class 12 in any stream, one can opt for a bachelor's degree with honours in economics from a recognised university. Then couple it up with a master's degree in economics. An MPhil and a PhD degree are recommended. It would be more fruitful if you have maths in Class 12. A strong background in maths and statistics would help
Institutes
- Delhi School of Economics
- Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Indian Stastical Institute (ISI), Kolkata and Delhi
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research
- The Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad
- Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi
- The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK
Pros And Cons
- Economists are useful to society because they analyse issues related to growth and development, welfare and policy formulation - both long- and short-term
- They evaluate government policies and assess their long and short term significance for the country, thereby contributing to growth
- They have to be as logical as mathematicians but the danger is that by getting more theoretical they may lose touch with ground reality
Source: HT Horizons
Date: 18th April, 2011
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