1. Professor Meghan Skira, Coordinator
Women in Economics
Professor Meghan Skira, Coordinator

2. Gender composition of the Economics major at UGA
Why are we here?
70 : 30
Gender composition of the Economics major at UGA
-Also at universities throughout the country.
-This ratio has been steady for the last several years.
-We really want to change this, so ladies, we really want you to listen up. Guys, keep listening too.
-None of the information we will present is gendered (except for highlighting some female alumna).
Department of Economics

3. What is an economic question?
Why do women earn less than men?
Why are some countries poor and others rich?
How does taking maternity leave impact a woman’s future employment and career opportunities?
How do medical marijuana laws impact painkiller addictions and deaths?
Why do some elderly individuals use nursing homes and others rely on family and friends for care?
-How does the presence of Airbnb affect rents and housing prices in cities (like San Francisco)?
-How will NYC’s recent cap on Uber licenses impact taxi driver earnings, Uber rates, etc.?
Department of Economics

4. Why study Economics?
Want to acquire problem-solving skills that are highly valued on the job market.
Want to develop a powerful way of thinking that allows you to address big questions, solve important problems, and improve the human condition.
Highly interdisciplinary! Synergies with psychology, sociology, computer science, mathematics, health, medicine, environmental studies, engineering, political science, international affairs, statistics.
Want to pursue law school or graduate school in business, economics, finance, public policy.
-You’re curious about people and human society, but prefer an analytical, mathematical style of reasoning that you typically do not find in the humanities.
-Want to acquire problem-solving skills and develop a logical, ordered way of looking at problems. Want to develop skills in or improve your skills in rigorous reasoning, writing, and critical reading.
-You want to improve the world and the human condition.
Department of Economics

5. Ok, but does Economics pay?
Department of Economics

6. Ok, but does Economics pay?
line
-If we use this, know some other popular majors.
-Only majors above us are engineering.
Department of Economics

7. Where do Economists work?
Consulting firms
Investment banking
Private equity
Hedge funds
Marketing
Actuarial science
Legal professions
Medical school/health professions
Public policy think thanks
Non-profits and NGOs
US federal agencies
Academia
-Keep in mind these are largely freshmen and sophomores who may have no clue about consulting—names of firms, which ones are good, etc. Same with banks, financial firms, etc.
-Bottom line: Economics students do well!
-Note: Economics provides empowering flexibility in terms of career choice. This contrasts to some fields where your major very clearly dictates your occupation/job (clarity regarding career path/lane).
-We think this flexibility is a big advantage of economics as you can pursue a career tailored to you and have the flexibility to pivot.
Department of Economics

8. Three recent alumnae Shreya Ganeshan (2018) Laura Courchesne (2017)
Julie Spangler (2017)
Shreya Ganeshan,
Kaitlyn Odell,
Elizabeth Pruitt,
Catherine Cavitt,
Liz Parr,
Nikki Arenas,
Taylor Ayres,
Callan Candler,
Sarah Carr,
Anne Chen,
Elizabeth Davidson Pisacreta,
Alex Edquist,
Emily Salnas,
Sasha Greenberg,
Heather Kim,
Elizabeth White,
Jordan Legg,
Taylor Long,
Bethany McCain,
Sapna Mistry,
Laura Picott,
Caroline Strom,
Kristin Tullos,
Brooke Wells,
Cathy Mossman,
Department of Economics

9. Economics at UGA What to do next: Senior thesis CURO opportunities
ECON 4010 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECON 4750 Intro to Econometrics
Senior thesis
CURO opportunities
Economics Society
Women in Economics (WiE) initiative
-Econometrics particularly if data stuff sounds interesting to you.
-Even if you decide to not major in Economics, taking 4010 and 4750 will not hurt you, and you’ll be better at just about anything you do if you know how to work with and interpret data and understand some theories behind human behavior.
Department of Economics

10. If you want to learn more…
WiE major orientation session
Thu, Sep 5:00-6:00p
Benson C115
Co-sponsored by the Economics Society and the Terry Women’s Initiative.
Food and drinks will be served.
Questions:
-Ask them to take out phones and take pic of info session slide if they are interested…gives us good way to gauge interest.
-Also join and take a peak at the UGA Economics LinkedIn group to see what others have done with the major.
Department of Economics