Economics has evolved over the centuries due to its presence in every aspect of life. It is a branch of social science that enables us to understand past, present, and future economic models. Economics helps us to understand the world around us and how it is being applied to societies, governments, businesses, and individuals.
The scope of economics is widely spread. Its implications lie throughout the world hence, the number of career opportunities in economics rise up. This article will explore the scope of economics and the prospective careers in economics.
The nature of economics has a dual presence. Famous economist Robbins proposed that economics is a science that studies human behavior relating to the availability of scarce resources, while Alfred Marshall another renowned scientist defined economics as an art.
Let us explore the nature of economics as science and art:
British economist Lionel Robbins defined economics as a branch of social science that deals with human behavior as a relationship between the given ends and scarce resources which have alternative uses. Economics is considered a science because the scope of economics is based on several principles. It involves a systematic study of knowledge and facts. One example can be the process of economic research. As science deals with the relationship between cause and effect, this principle is implemented while collecting, classifying, and analyzing data for micro and macroeconomic research.
Economics is defined as an art due to the presence and usage of various theories, concepts, and findings for achieving goals. According to economist Alfred Marshall, economics is the art of the practical application of scientific theories for attaining goals. The theories are explained through graphical representations defining the relationship between the economic variables and their application theories. This denotes the nature of economics as an art.
Economics deals with a wide variety of things. It comprises multiple principles and theories whose implications influence the economy of a country. When it comes to the scope of economics, it can be understood by the two branches of economics – Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
Microeconomics is concerned with studying the micro elements of the economy of a nation. It deals with the individual units of an economy. Microeconomics studies the concept of product pricing along with the pricing of production factors, and the behavior of households, individuals, and firms. It enables us to analyze how these units allocate their scarce resources, their distribution, and utilization. The scope of microeconomics includes:
Macroeconomics deals with the macro units of an economy. It is the aggregate study of the elements of a country’s economy. Macroeconomics studies the entire economy of a nation as a whole. It deals with the overall production, total consumption, aggregate demand, and aggregate supply of a nation’s economy. Unlike microeconomics, macroeconomics deals with individual units on an aggregate basis. The scope of macroeconomics includes:
The career scope of economics offers wide exposure to students in the field of career opportunities in economics. Multiple career options are available for students who wish to take up economics as a career.
Here are the top 10 career opportunities in economics:
An economist is responsible for conducting research on the economic model of the country, identifying issues through surveys, and analyzing the collected data through mathematical models and strategic techniques. They conclude research reports and forecast the issues that may arise in the future.
The average salary of an economist is INR 7.17 LPA.
A financial researcher is responsible for accessing and analyzing the financial statements of a company and predicting the company’s future performance in the working sector. Their work includes forecasting future revenues and expenditures, and keep a track of the company’s financial plan.
The average salary of a financial researcher is INR 5.13 LPA.
Consumer credit managers research and evaluate the creditworthiness of customers. Their work involves reviewing consumers’ credibility through the creation of credit scoring models. They are responsible for predicting risks and approving or rejecting loans.
The average salary of a consumer credit manager is INR 6 LPA.
Personal financial advisors assist their clients in reaching their financial goals. They help individuals or companies achieve their financial goals by providing various strategies and techniques. They provide advice on reducing costs, eliminating debts, and creating more wealth.
The average salary of a personal financial advisor is INR 4.56 LPA.
An economics professor or teacher is responsible for teaching undergraduate or postgraduate students at universities or institutions. They prepare and deliver lectures to students on the subject of economics.
Skills Required:
The average salary of a professor is INR 33 LPA.
The scope of economics is also spread in the government and public sectors. Following are some of the reputed career opportunities in economics in the government sector.
The Indian economic services officer or IES officer is responsible for maintaining and regulating the economic affairs in the social or government sectors. Their work includes managing the government’s functioning and making crucial contributions to formulating policies.
The average salary of IES officer is INR 9.60 LPA (as per the 7th Pay Commission).
Income tax officers are responsible for regulating the taxation procedure of a country. They examine and analyze the tax assets and liabilities for determining delinquent tax issues. They communicate with the members and intermediaries involved in the taxation process for evaluating the tax problems.
The average salary of an income tax officer is INR 6.93 LPA.
A statistical investigator is responsible for planning and executing all the work relating to the census. They monitor and coordinate the training functionaries and collect, process, and disseminate data. They conduct numerous data collection surveys for performing intensive field duties.
The average salary of a statistical investigator is INR 9.36 LPA.
The responsibility of an audit officer includes reviewing and examining the financial reports and records. They check the reports to identify their accuracy and reliability. Audit officers assure that the assets remain protected. They analyze the processes to find issues and make necessary changes.
The average salary of an audit officer is INR 3.6 LPA.
A probationary officer is responsible for regulating and handling the banking transactions of customers. They retain the authority to issue checkbooks, pass cheques, and manage cash. Probationary officers can also work in private or public sector companies for financial or accounting matters.
The average salary of a probationary officer is INR 6 LPA.
Economics has emerged as an important attribute in the world including both individual life and the working sector. There is a huge scope of economics in various fields. Be it job opportunities after BA economics or civil services, its scope lies everywhere. Numerous enhancing career opportunities in economics are available, where students can not only prosper but also establish successful careers. The future of economic students is considered to be highly enriching.
Read More – Why might PhD in Economics be the best grad degree?
Ans. The scope of economics can be understood through the two branches of economics namely microeconomics and macroeconomics. Both categories deal with the individual and aggregate units of an economy. It imparts high-end knowledge of econometrics and economic models. There are several exciting careers in economics that can land students on various reputed job profiles with great salary packages.
Ans. The salary package of an economics student generally depends on the job profile and experience in the field. However there the various highest-paying career opportunities in economics. Some of them are economists, statistical investigators, economics professors, IES officers, etc. These profiles offer exciting salary packages which increase with the increase in experience gained.
Ans. The field of economics is broadly categorized into two branches that are microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics studies the individual units of the economy of a nation and macroeconomics is the aggregate study of the components of a country’s economy. Both fields offer great careers in economics. You can take your desired field based on your knowledge interest and career goals.
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