Economics

• The Economics Department provides students with the tools to analyze a variety of situations and problems, offering a major and minor in the field. They gain an understanding of past and current events, and have the perspective to apply economic reasoning to future problems. In the process, students become familiar with the methods and institutions humankind has developed to deal with scarcity - from the level of individual consumers and firms to the level of the global economy. Providing students with a solid background in economics helps them become thoughtful citizens who are prepared for advanced study or employment in the field.
• Many Augustana economics majors pursue another major or minor -- typically, business administration or accounting. Some students find it useful to combine the economics major with the study of mathematics, languages, natural science or other social sciences.
• All full-time economics faculty have earned PhDs from the University of Iowa, University of Illinois or the University of Indiana. Faculty have research experience in economic history and development economics. Senior-level courses are taught in these fields, as sort of a culminating use of all the theory and concepts from introductory and intermediate courses. Other strong course offerings are in the areas of international trade and international finance.

Outside the classroom

Alumna profile: Abby Meeker Age: 23 Hometown: Hillsdale, IL High School: Riverdale, Port Byron, IL Major: Economics/Business Administration (Finance/Management) Current Work: Strategic Supply Management Specialist for Enterprise Strategic Sourcing, John Deere, Moline, Illinois Then: "I first took macroeconomics and then microeconomics, and I just thoroughly enjoyed the classes and the professors. They were really, really into what they were teaching. I just loved it and knew right away that was what I wanted to do." Through Augustana, Abby secured an internship at the Rock Island Arsenal. That led to an internship at John Deere, which led to a job right out of school. Now: Abby works in the supply management development program at Deere world headquarters in Moline. "Basically, my group of people maintains the relationship between the suppliers and the units and sets up contracts and things. The biggest thing from the economics major that I draw on is simply understanding the economy, especially in the current conditions. A lot of the graphs and things that we look at are a lot like what we looked at at Augustana." Why Augustana? "I think Augustana gives you every opportunity to succeed. The small class sizes. The beautiful campus. It's just a very positive atmosphere. I got hired at John Deere right out of college. There is no way I'd be where I'm at today without Augustana."

• The Augustana Business Club is a student-run organization where students interact with employees and business leaders from various industries. This club helps students develop their career paths through educational resources and corporate involvement.
• Business Day is a premiere job-shadowing event exclusively for Augustana students. Students spend a day shadowing a business executive of their choosing. It's a valuable opportunity for students to see how their academic path connects with the professional world.

Recent placements

• Recent figures show that 75 percent of Augustana economics graduates continued their studies, most commonly in law or M.B.A. programs. Augustana's economics program is sufficiently rigorous to prepare students to excel in well-regarded graduate programs. These include Ohio State University (accounting), Southern Illinois University (economics), University of California-San Diego (public policy), University of Illinois (finance) and Southern Illinois University (geography).
• Employment: private sector, Deere & Co., Country Insurance and Finance, First Investors Corp; government, U.S. State Department.