Why Study Economics?

Originally I came to Ozarks thinking I was going to pursue a degree of English - Pre-Law track. I soon realized that I did not like that as much as I thought I did.

I tested the waters with some beginning business classes and after taking Principles of Microeconomics with Mrs. Christine Farrell, I began liking the idea of an Economics Major because it ties in numbers with theory. I like Accounting but I also like Management, numbers and theory. Economics is numbers and theory. I decided that Economics (as a major) was a good fit with what I am going to do, although it does not seem like it.

In August, I will begin graduate school at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary taking my first classes for a Master of Divinity to become a Teaching Elder (Minister of the Word and Sacrament) for the Presbyterian Church (USA). Most people would think, a Religion major or philosophy (or the combination of both, as offered here at Ozarks) but not business.

Well, actually, business makes sense, as well as Economics. Churches are a business and essentially, the pastor of the church "runs" it: through creation of budgets, assigning committees, being on committees, engaging in community and social events, etc. A business major knows these expectations and for the most part how to craft a budget, how to be a civic person and volunteer and attend social groups such as Kiwanis, Lion, or Rotary. Economics prepares people to determine trends and statistics, things that churches do all the time with money, numbers of parish members, and other demographics. So, I feel the Economics Major has prepared me to enter Seminary and will in the future prepare me when I am placed in my first congregation.

Ethan Harbour '12