Department of Economics 

Department Chair: Jaishankar Raman, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Sciences 363 | 219-464-6814
Jaishankar.Raman@valpo.edu

Majors offered:
 General Economics, B.A.
 Economics and Computer Analysis, B.A.

Links to Web sites:
Catalogs
Department of Economics (department maintained)

Economics is about more than just money. As a Valpo Economics major, you'll learn to identify economic problems, issues, and policies that affect the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. You'll explore many fields of study, including other social sciences and mathematics, to confront a wide range of topics from economic growth to business regulation. You'll gain expertise in choice and decision making which will benefit you both professionally and personally.

What Can You Do With An Economics Major?

Degree, Skills or Experience Needed for Beginning a Job in this Field:
Employment possibilities exist both in the public (government) and private (business) sectors. Approximately 75% of all economists are employed by private business organizations. The task of the business economist is to apply analytical skills to gain an understanding of the economic implications of changes in the economic environment and how such external events impact on the business.

Kinds of Work Available to Graduates in this Major:
Our graduates have engaged in the following activities: Law School, Graduate School in Economics, Finance, Business, International Economics, work for the Armed Forces, and Foreign Service. Those who go directly into the labor market find jobs in the financial industry as trust officers, financial analysts, account executives, stockbrokers, fringe benefit analysts, and price analysts. Graduates work in companies such as A.G. Edwards & Sons, Bank One Corps, Gerber Baby Products, Daimler Chrysler, and AON. Other industries in which they are employed as managers or customer relations specialists include steel, home improvement, and auto.

Graduate Schools:
Valpo Economics graduates are well prepared for graduate study in a variety of fields such as economics, business adminitration, foreign service, law and finance. Our students have attended graduate programs at such schools as Harvard University, Indiana University, George Washington Eliott School of International Affairs, Northwestrn University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, and University of Notre Dame. Students may also consider the new Master of Business Administration program at Valpo.

What Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities Does Valpo Offer You in Economics?

Extracurricular Groups:
Economics students participate in honor societies such as Omicron Delta Epsilon - Economics Honor Society, and Phi Gamma Mu - Social Sciences Honor Society.

Notable Alumni

• Norman Knorr (VU '59), retired Assistant Controller-Planning, Gerber Baby Products
• Ernest R. Berndt (VU '68), Professor of Applied Economics, MIT Sloan School, Director of National Bureau of Economic Research Program on Technological Progress and Productive Measurement; First Chair of the U.S. Federal Economic Statistics Academic Advisory Commission
• Marty Smith (VU '75), Vice President, A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
• Kim Walesh (VU '86) Managing Director Collaborative Economics
• Jeff Hehnke (VU '89) Divisional Assistant Vice President for Great American Insurance Company
• Tesa Stegner Handlen (VU '83) Department Chair, Professor of Economics, Idaho State University
• Bev Kline (VU '97 Marketing Manager, Frito-Lay
• Lorna Barnes (VU '72) Economist, Bureau of Labor Statistics