Skip to main content

Student Resources

Student Organizations

The Radford University Department of Economics sponsors two student organizations: the Economics Student Association and Omicron Delta Epsilon. Phi Beta Lambda, the collegiate branch of Future Business Leaders of America, is also operated with the Economics Department and open to all business students. To learn more about these organizations or to join, visit RU Involved or contact the faculty advisor at dfarhat@radford.edu.

Economics Student Association (ESA)

The Economics Student Association, or ESA, unites economics majors as well as others interested in the field. We encourage student and faculty interaction, hold seminars, debates, and other activities, while establishing an environment that promotes the development of leadership and innovation. We want to give members a better understanding, awareness and appreciation of the global economy and international business environment.

Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE)

Omicron Delta Epsilon, or ODE, is a national Economics honor society that seeks to create reward and encourage the study of economics. Individuals who have taken at least 12 credit hours of Economics courses at Radford University and maintained at least a 3.0 average in those classes are eligible for membership.

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL)

Phi Beta Lambda, or PBL, is the collegiate branch of the Future Business Leaders of America. PBL is a business society which inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society. Members focus on career preparation, training opportunities, and leadership experiences. All business majors are welcome to join.

Undergraduate Research

Economics students have the opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. 

Student Research

  • "Blown Away: Bombs, Networks and Economic Fortitude", Deric Tilson (2017) [Advised by Tom Duncan, Ph.D., and Dan Farhat, Ph.D.]
  • "Cost Benefit Analysis of Composting in Radford University", Tucker Morgan [Advised by Eftila Tanellari, Ph.D.]
  • "Free Agency and Contract Bids for Baseball Players", Grant Anders (2018) [Advised by Dan Farhat, Ph.D.]
  • "The Gender Pay Gap of Radford University Graduates", Courtney Ward (2018) [Advised by Dan Farhat, Ph.D.]
  • "Using Disney as a Pedagogical Approach", Kylie Knudsen (2018) [Advised by Tom Duncan, Ph.D.]
  • "The Emergence and Launch of the Space Economy", Ben Gearhart (2018) [Advised by Dan Farhat, Ph.D.]
  • "Peaked Interest: The Economic Cycle's Impact on the Public's Interest in Hunger", Jessie Quesenberry [Advised by Danylle Kunkel, Ph.D., (MGNT) and Dan Farhat, Ph.D.]
  • "Death and Spending in the US Economy", Christopher Davis (2019) [Advised by Dan Farhat, Ph.D.]
  • "Review of Domestic Terrorism in the United States", Jordan Clark (2019) [Advised by Tom Duncan, Ph.D.]
  • "Pop-Developmentalism: The Political Economy of Sweatshop Labor and Consumer Activism", Rachel Sharrett (2019, POSC) [Advised by Tom Duncan, Ph.D.]

Doing your own research project allows you to delve into a topic you feel passionate about, travel to conferences to present your research and publish your results in academic opportunities. In some cases, funding opportunities are available.

Interested in student research? Contact any faculty member in the Economics Department for more information.

Notice: The Radford Center for Economic Education is looking for Economics majors interested in writing short articles about Economics in Virginia. These articles will be used to construct teaching materials for K-12 students. If you are interested, contact Dr. Dan Farhat at dfarhat@radford.edu    

Economics. Go Anywhere. Go Everywhere.

Economics majors are successful in a wide variety of careers. Although various roles in businesses are most common, economics majors are successful in law, medicine, government, non-profits, and international relations, as well as in academic roles. 

Career Outlook

By studying Economics, you learn a set of highly-desirable skills:

  • Critical thinking (putting pieces together).
  • Analytical thinking (breaking complex issues apart for analysis).
  • Quantitative reasoning (using data and mathematical tools).
  • Inquiry and argument (supporting statements with logic, reasoning and information).
  • Scientific thinking (testing hypotheses about the way things work).
  • Behavioral analysis (understanding what drives people's actions).
  • Cultural/Social analysis (accounting for social/cultural contexts).
  • Problem solving and value creation (finding better paths forward).

These skills are used in many different settings. Further, Economics is all about scarcity and scarcity is almost everywhere (topics/issues in a wide array of industries/settings/environments are discussed). Firms highly value skilled individuals with a desire to make things work a little bit better. 

Economics doesn't just prepare you for one type of job. There are many job opportunities for you. Discuss job options with your faculty advisor today!

Economic Career Insights

Career Earnings

The Corporate World and the MBA

  • Most economics majors pursue employment in the private sector. Graduates in economics succeed in many occupations. Some students plan to earn the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree in time. Others find employment with a bachelors degree is sufficient to fulfill their aspirations.

Economic Consulting

  • Some economists with bachelors degrees find employment as research associates with economic consulting firms. Consultants advise firms on business strategies, prepare economic evidence for court cases, and develop analyses to influence public policy.

Law and Other Professions

  • Law school is also a common destination for recent graduates in economics. The careful reasoning in economics is a good fit for law and many careers in the law influence significant economic decisions for firms.

Government and Not-For-Profits

  • Some students enter government service or choose jobs with non-profit entities. Governments at every level hire economists for their facility with statistics and analysis.

Professors, Teachers and Researchers of Economics

  • Some graduates in economics are interested in academic careers. They are drawn by the love of the study of economics and the prospect of teaching and writing about economics as a career. 

(Source: American Economic Association)

    Apply NowPlan a Visit