Why Study Economics and Business at K?
Integrating Economics and Business, theory and practice, we develop creative, broad-minded problem-solvers and leaders.
In the business and economics department, you will learn how to apply theories to real-world problems and develop the critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and historical perspective necessary to succeed in your future career.
Throughout your four years with the department, you will be exposed to a wide variety of ideas by taking classes focused on economic theory (Principles of Economics; Macroeconomics), quantitative tools and methods (Statistics for Business and Economics; Econometrics), fundamental business principles (Accounting; Marketing), and field-specific topics (Environmental Economics; Principles of Investments). These courses will empower you to build upon theoretical foundations to address pressing real-world problems.
With the tangible skills and broad knowledge base you will gain as a business, economics or quantitative economics major—in addition to the experiential education and completion of your Senior Integrated Project—you will be equipped with the talents to be successful in many professional settings. Notably, our alumni have thrived in private, public, nonprofit, domestic and international business sectors.
Choosing the Right Major
The business, economics and quantitative economics majors are three separate major programs housed within the same department. Due to the significant overlap in their programming and courses, students cannot major in multiple degree programs within the department.
Students intending to study economics or finance at the graduate level are encouraged to major in quantitative economics, where students will be exposed to the necessary quantitative skills. Those students who are interested in law school, public policy, or really, any career path, are well served by the major in economics. Students who discover a passion for marketing, finance, accounting, or management may consider a major in business, which emphasizes analytical, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
What can you do with a business or economics major?
Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our business and economics alumni.
Careers
- Financial or Investment Management
- Entrepreneur
- Law
- Marketing or Sales Management
- Public Policy
Employers
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Deloitte
- Liberty Mutual
- Fleishman Hillard
- Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Graduate Schools
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of California Irvine
- Michigan State University
- Texas A&M University
- Washington University in St. Louis
Program Spotlights
Faculty Excellence: Learn from the Experts
You will benefit from learning from our stellar faculty, who are all experts in their fields or entrepreneurs who have demonstrated success in business practices. With an array of different backgrounds and specialties, our faculty cooperate to further their respective fields, such as Professors Hultberg and Udayanganie, who collaborated to research how international economic policies can combat climate change. While our faculty take pride in their research and practices, K is a teaching-first institution, and our professors take immense joy in the close mentorship they develop with students.
Apply your Learning and Gain Experience through Internships
As a business and economics student, many of the skills you need to be successful post-graduation are best learned through professional experiences and internships. The department and the College’s Center for Career and Professional Development will coach you through the process of landing a meaningful internship and potentially even providing funding for unpaid opportunities for high-need and first-generation students. It is through these internships that you can begin to contextualize and experience your education first-hand.
Be Actively Engaged in your Learning
All your classes with the department balance theory with practice. For example, in Negotiation and Persuasion, you will learn how to influence others during crucial conversations by drawing from the latest research, use cases and exercises. Each week you will practice these skills through mock negotiations, giving you the confidence to negotiate your worth and resolve conflicts.
Your courses will also take you out of the classroom and into the world, as is the case with Principles of Marketing where you will create real-life, actionable business plans to assist local business owners in meaningful ways.
Showcase your knowledge with your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)
For an economics or business SIP, you can choose to either design and execute a research study, expand upon your previous coursework with more in-depth analysis, or take part in an internship that relates to your studies. For example, Mihail Naskovski ’22 received funding through the Gilchrist Economics and Business SIP Research Grant to conduct his research, titled, “Econometric Analysis of the Relationship Between Domestic Economic Growth and Levels of Inflow of Remittances Among Developing Countries.”
Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisors
Business
Alexa Wonacott (she/her)
Majors: Business and Spanish
Study Abroad: Madrid, Spain
Best Adjective to Describe You: Dedicated
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The faculty. The professors are very supportive and go out of their way to help students succeed.
What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
The Negotiation & Persuasion class. It prepared me for salary negotiations, buying/selling a car, business partnerships, and workplace conflict mediation. The real-life simulations were fun and gave me an opportunity to practice these situations.
How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
I have taken classes in almost every department. I love learning new things, so the flexible curriculum allowed me to explore different subjects. The range of classes also helped me narrow down my interests and decide on Business and Spanish.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
I am doing an experiential business SIP about my internship at a space and satellite communications company. Afterwards, I am writing a reflection on the experience and expanding the paper into a market analysis of the space industry.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
After graduation, I plan to return to Spain for an English teaching program and then attend graduate school for international business or another sector of business.
Economics
Sage Lewis (she/her)
Majors: Economics and Spanish
Concentration: Public Policy & Urban Affairs
Study Abroad: Madrid, Spain
Best Adjective to Describe You: Clumsy
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The professors! The Econ professors are super nice and the courses are fun and interesting!
What drew you to the department?
In high school I took an economics course and became very interested in the subject. I love how interconnected economics is and how much it influences the world around us, therefore I became an econ major to learn more about it!
What is your favorite thing about K?
My favorite thing about K are the faculty and staff. The staff at K college are incredibly caring about students and are always working towards improvements to make K college the best experience it can be for every student.
How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
I have been able to try so many courses outside of my intended major Economics, which led me to major in Spanish as well! I have taken courses in art, religion, and philosophy which have broadened my horizons and introduced me to so many new interests.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
My SIP is about an economic analysis on Kalamazoo City’s public transportation system with a focus on sustainability. I hope to use my SIP to work towards an improved public transportation system in Kalamazoo!
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
Right now, I am hoping to focus on my senior project and after graduation I hope to work towards a Masters in Public Policy action while focusing on sustainability.