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
Grace Westerhuis (she/her)
Majors: Business and Spanish
Study Abroad: Madrid, Spain
Best Adjective to Describe You: Ambitious
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The faculty within the business department are deeply invested not only in your academic performance while in school, but also in your long-term success beyond graduation. They offer personalized mentorship, career guidance, and real-world insight to help students navigate both their studies and their future professional paths with confidence.
What drew you to the department?
I was drawn to the business department at Kalamazoo College because it offered the perfect blend of academic rigor, practical experience, and a liberal arts foundation. I wanted to understand the social, ethical, and global context behind economic and business decisions which is why Kalamazoo’s emphasis on critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning stood out to me.
How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
The flexible curriculum at Kalamazoo College has enabled me to pursue a major in business alongside Spanish. Although these fields may seem unrelated, I’ve had the opportunity to deeply explore and engage with subjects in both departments and overall making me a more well-rounded individual.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
I will be reviewing my time as a corporate merchandising intern for Meijer. As an intern I will be on a team developing a strategy that incorporates consumer behavior research, marketing, and financial aspects to implement a new men’s workwear clothing brand in Meijer stores.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
After graduating from K, I hope to work at a consulting firm where I can help businesses grow, adapt and solve complex challenges internationally.
Economics
Sophie Hartl
Majors: Economics and Anthropology/Sociology
Concentration: Community and Global Health
Study Abroad: Athens, Greece
Best Adjective to Describe You: Driven
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The professors in the department are very informative and care about their students’ learning and futures.
What drew you to the department?
I enjoy economics because the subject is very well-versed and you can do a lot of different things with the concepts. I was drawn to economics because I enjoy math and numbers but also realized through taking my first classes that I enjoyed the theory as well and the application of the subject to the real world.
What is your favorite thing about K?
Then community. I love all of the people at K.
How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
Yes, K has allowed me to experience different curriculums. The biggest way it has done this is by allowing me to have two majors. I also have a concentration in community and global health so have taken courses in different disciplines for that, as well as for environmental studies.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
I am doing an experiential internship SIP through my internship with Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services this summer.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I am still deciding what I want to do post grad. I may go on to get my Masters in Public Health or try to enter the workforce directly after graduation.