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Economics

At Hollins, students learn about contemporary economics and its place within the wider social sphere. A good understanding of economic principles helps our students in analyzing economic trends and the government's responses to them. Economic majors have the opportunity to develop good analytical and problem-solving skills, which are an integral part of a liberal arts education. By exploring economic theories that help explain human behavior, Hollins students learn to develop their own arguments and to evaluate their own values regarding the issues discussed in class.
   While at Hollins, students learn to:

  • Understand how the global economy works
  • Interpret the significance of national and international economic events
  • Collect and interpret statistical data
  • Evaluate the effects of monetary and fiscal policies
  • Examine the effects of socioeconomic trends
  • Examine the effects of gender, race, and class on economic opportunities

Hollins students reinforce what they learn about the techniques and methods of modern financial enterprises through internships during the January Short Term.

Economic majors gain valuable research experience in writing a senior thesis. Many employers and graduate schools consider the successful completion of a senior thesis a symbol of high academic achievement.

Why Major in Economics?

From investment banking to international finance, from doing market research to being the CEO of their own company, Hollins economics majors have achieved success in a variety of professions. The strength of the Hollins economics program is demonstrated by the fact that so many of our graduates go on to high-level careers in management and finance and are accepted into the business or graduate schools of their choice. Our graduates say the combination of a strong liberal arts education and a comprehensive understanding of economics, business-related areas, and research methodology gives them both the knowledge and the skills needed to succeed in a competitive job market. Especially helpful to many of our majors was the experience they gained in their internships and the extensive network of Hollins alumnae willing to help with practical advice and connections to businesses and financial institutions nationwide.


Test the Career Waters with Hands-on Internships

During the January Short Term, students seek out internships in a variety of cities and professions. Most say this on-the-job training provides invaluable insights into the working world -- and sometimes an entree to their first job after graduation.
   Some recent internships include:

  • LaBranche & Company, New York Stock Exchange specialist firm
  • Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia
  • Turner Broadcasting, Atlanta
  • Mobile Carnival Association, Alabama
  • Bank of Boston, Brazil
  • Merrill Lynch & Co., Roanoke
  • Saatchi & Saatchi, New York
  • Wheat First Securities
  • International Monetary Fund
  • The White House
  • U.S. Congress
  • Costa Rica Chamber of Commerce


Hollins Graduates: Where are they now?

Recent graduates are now working for specialist firms operating on the New York Stock Exchange, and a major Dutch bank in Amsterdam. One alumna is the CEO of a lending and money-managing corporation in Charlotte, N.C. Alumnae have become vice presidents and upper-level managers, and each year Hollins graduates are accepted into prestigious MBA programs (e.g., Harvard, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, University of Pennsylvania), graduate schools (e.g., University of Chicago, Rutgers University), and law schools (e.g., University of Michigan).



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Economics:

Courses & Major Requirements

Faculty

The Benefits of Majoring in Economics

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Get a Good Job

How to Get into Graduate School

How to Get into Business School

How to Get into Law School

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CONTACT
Juergen Fleck, chair
(540) 362-6696
jfleck@hollins.edu

Hollins University
P. O. Box 9663
Roanoke, VA 24020


"As an economics major at Hollins, I was challenged to think both strategically and analytically about problems, and then apply what I had learned to solve them. Today, I still lean on these same skills in the workplace. My job is to deliver solutions and draw conclusions -- often dealing with incomplete information. That's not unlike working through problems in the classroom. Upon entering my M.B.A. program at Vanderbilt, I found I was uniquely prepared for the classroom environment in large part because of my education at Hollins. Much of the foundation of a business education pulls on economic principles that I had mastered while at Hollins while earning my B.A. While my M.B.A. was certainly challenging, I felt just as prepared as any of my classmates coming from all over the world."

Kate Reid '00
Operations and finance manager for Global Scholarships, Visa


"I could not have had a better preparation for graduate school than Hollins. The economics department, with its close faculty-student interaction, emphasis on fundamentals, and thesis requirement, was the ideal training ground not only for the rigors of graduate study and research, but also for highly coveted teaching assistant positions. Additionally, the education at Hollins encourages cross-discipline exploration of ideas and emphasizes analytical writing which has helped me stand out and excel among my peers."

Taylor Cook
'04
Currently pursuing a graduate degree in economics from the University of Montana - Missoula.