Careers for Austrian Economists? ? ?

Hello,

 

I am reconsidering careers. Up to this point I've worked primarily in construction, but I'm now considering a career change. This may include college. Having followed the Austrian school of economics for some time, and enjoying both reading and writing on the subject, I am wondering what sort of careers there are for people in the economic sphere? To be more specific:

 

1. Is there a college which gives a useful degree in Austrian economics?
2. If I did get a degree in economics, what kind of jobs are there? How do Austrian economists make a living and is there demand for that kind of work?
3. If there is work for  Austrian economists, what education / preparations would be necessary?

 

Personally, I enjoy active physical work outdoors  and also accounting,  but I love communicating with people and writing in particular. With these interests, obviously there are numerous career opportunities open to me, however, I am passionate about Austrian economics! I am seriously considering taking several years to advance my education and I would really appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

 

Nathanael

 

Dear Nathaneal,

I just started to use this site so I am sorry if my response is too late. I am a senior in college and I was going through the same delima(sic)  you were. I loved Austrian economics but I didn't know if I could make a career out of it. I had already taken General Education courses and some economics but my college economics department was so lacking. I asked them straight up that I was interested in Austrian economics and if my college could give me that or tell me some place that could.

You know what they told me? That I should look up the Mises institute, look at their books, and maybe attent thier confrence. I was already doing that. So I figured I really don't need a degree to learn something I am interested in, that is a waste of money. I need a degree if I want to be a doctor or a lawyer.

So thats what I did. I took a personality test, your nearby university should offer this service for a charge, and I looked at the top 20 careers. I called up businesses I asked for an interviews with people until I found a career that I liked. I decided to become a pharmacist which requires a doctorate, fun for me, and makes an ass load of money. Hopefully I can use my education in Austrian economics to teach and convince people a little bit about the economics of healthcare.

But you can always just learn Austrian economics on your own or with the LvMI. Plus my best economics teacher wasn't even a proffessor. He worked at the local agri. stock exchange and taught at a private highschool. His qualification was being good at his job.

You can get a job in anything...

you can teach, you can be an adviser, you can write.

 

 

there isnt a specific degree Austrian Economics but there are some neo classical economic schools that you can go to. Neo classical is different than Austrian but they both agree that Government should not be involved in the market. University of Chicago, University of Minnesota, and the University of Rochester are great schools that teach neo classical economics. I would much rather be studying from an instructor that is a neo classical economist than a Keynesian economist.

Professor Salerno had a good article a few months back entitled "Pursuing a Vocation in Austrian Economics", here's a link for you guys if you haven't read it: http://mises.org/daily/3523

Also you should read the section in Human Action regarding "The Place of Economics in Learning" (Chapter XXXVIII) - pdf link here: http://mises.org/humanaction/pdf/ha_38.pdf

In particular in section 2 (Economics as a Profession) the opening paragraph is well worth remembering:

The early economists devoted themselves to the study of the problems of economics. In lecturing and writing books they were eager to communicate to their fellow citizens the results of their thinking. They tried to influence public opinion in order to make sound policies prevail in the conduct of civic affairs. They never conceived of economics as a profession.

The development of a profession of economists is an offshoot of interventionism. The professional economist is the specialist who is instrumental in designing various measures of government interference with business. He is an expert in the field of economic legislation, which today invariably aims at hindering the operation of the market economy.

sorry that i will not be writing about a career in neoclassical economics this time. I simply wish to confess the importance of this networking group towards my academic goals. I find this discussion group very paramount since it has providing me with the necessary data for my research. however, i have one preocccupation. Irequested for assistance some days back but no reply yet. maybe my point did not go through . I wish to reiterate, I am looking for an economist who will help proofread my work in two weeks to come up with the necesaary criticism that will give a plus to the work. the title of the research is Multinational companies in cameroon, 1960-2000: a historical appraisal of their role in the development of the state. I will happy to hear from you soonest