Great avenues from Delhi School of Economics
Delhi School of Economics is considered the hub of economics education in India and Asia by premiere Economists. Sumegha Gulati reports.
Peter Drucker had once said, “In all recorded history there has not been one economist who has had to worry about where the next meal would come from.” Economics has the power to influence a state’s political and financial status and is unquestionably one of the most important aspects of an infrastructure. No doubt, it's one of the most sought after subjects today.
The Department of Economics at Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University is a highly favoured destination for an M.A. in Economics.
With faculty like Amratya Sen, PM Manmohan Singh, DU Vice Chancellor B. N. Ganguly to boast of and alumni in the vein of Prannoy Roy, Prabhu Chawla and Usha Thorat, it is indeed one of the best colleges in Delhi offering the course. It's popularity is evident from the fact that, more than 1500 students apply for taking the entrance exam each year against the minuscule intake of 150.
The curriculum of the course is very flexible and the list of elective courses allows a student an insight into various themes, be it development economics, agriculture economics, finance or any other course.
The seminars, conferences and workshops periodically organised by the department have attracted some of the highest quality academics from the world over including Sir John and Lady Ursula Hicks, Frank Hahn, Jacques Dreze, and Milton Friedman.
Says, Professor Bhattacharjea, "The future prospects after the completion of the course are exceptionally bright, with many students pursuing an M. Phil or PhD. The college also has an active placement cell with the majority of scholars making it to reputed stock companies. In the increasingly globalised world order with newer business risks stemming from inflation, currency fluctuation, varying interest rates, regulatory risks, foreign markets and now the WTO, large private companies are increasingly looking at business economists for help. The token one-man economic cell is now getting staffed."
Banking and financial institutions also hire business economists. A number of recruitment advertisements for management trainees ask for an M.A Economics degree as a desired qualification. Job Prospects can also be enhanced by doing an MBA or Master's in finance, international trade or insurance.
Besides teaching, business journalism in television or newspapers, economic journals and business magazines as commercial editors, business reporters, feature writers, economic analysts and commentators are other options that are available.