Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 2/18/2009

Question
Hi,

I will getting a PhD in Economics Next year, and I am considering a whole lot
of career options, including the Military. I am primarily interested in the army.
I wanted to ask if my kills will be better suited for other agencies of
government (SEC, FED or Treasury). I want to work for a government agency
for some time. I talked to a recruiter and from the conversation it seems the
army is not keen on PhD in economics.

Answer
Dear Yaw --

You will get very little advantage from having a Ph.D. in economics early in an Army career.  There are virtually no enlisted jobs that will use your skills.  Your bachelors degree qualifies you for officer candidate school (OCS) but, again, early in your career you would be using leadership skills rather than your economic knowledge.

At about 8 years, you could choose a functional area (job specialty) where your economics knowledge and analytical ability would be an asset.

If you wanted to your education to have more immediate pay-off, you would probably be better served joining government service as a civil servant either in the treasury department, or in one of the military services' business fields.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you and congratulations on your impending degree.