Eng --> Econ

[albertalla]

I just read http://www.aeaweb.org/joe/articles/2004/2004_market.pdf
Interesting reading for econ PhD applicants.

One part in particular drew my attention:
"We find that 76 percent of new U.S. economics Ph.D.s earned bachelor's degrees in economics (including double-majors).4 Contrary to common perception, only 14 graduates (4.1 percent) earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics; five percent held bachelor’s degrees in engineering. No other undergraduate major accounts for more than four percent of the sample."

5% of engineers?! I did my undergrad in engineering. I've looked at many profile on TM, and I haven't seen anyone else with an engineering background. So where are the engineers? and if anyone knows, where do they usually go?

[econfin7]

They join the work force? Pursue PhD in Engineering?

I know many of my engineering friends do not eventually become engineers, most of them join the financial industry.

[albertalla]

Yes, many engineers join the financial industry. Here in Australia, the salaries paid by investment banks for graduate engineers are comparable to the mining industry.
But what intrigues me is that I haven't seen any undergrad engineers on TM wanting to do a PhD in economics. And yet the paper I quoted says that 5% did their undergrad in engineering. I was wondering 1) if there are any other engineering undergrad wanting to go on to econ on TM and 2) which econ programs traditionally accept engineering undergrads.

[Garmoon]

Ok I am one of those undergrad Eng applying for Econ PhD

[albertalla]

Ok I am one of those undergrad Eng applying for Econ PhD

Great, there's one other! What's your profile? I ask out of pure curiosity.
And why econ?

[Garmoon]

International student with 3.8 in Electrical Eng from reputable private university in US with several courses in Econ. I also completed MS in EE.

Q800/V530/AWA4.5

I have been working in technology R&D organization for 3 years and I am applying for Econ/Business Econ due to my interest in economic side of technology development.

[albertalla]

International student with 3.8 in Electrical Eng from reputable private university in US with several courses in Econ. I also completed MS in EE.

Q800/V530/AWA4.5

I have been working in technology R&D organization for 3 years and I am applying for Econ/Business Econ due to my interest in economic side of technology development.

Thanks, good luck with your applications.

[snappythecrab]

I thought this was going to be about English to Econ.

[Garmoon]

I thought it's English at first too

[ramlau]

5% of engineers?! I did my undergrad in engineering. I've looked at many profile on TM, and I haven't seen anyone else with an engineering background. So where are the engineers? and if anyone knows, where do they usually go?

Well... I'm getting my CS degree from an engineering school. So it can be counted as 3/5ths of an engineering degree... I guess?

Ram