Economics

Understanding how money and commerce can influence and shape society can be beneficial in a number of different careers. From business and accounting to government work and teaching, the study of economics offers a wide variety of career paths.

At Oakton, you can get an economics pre-major to help you pursue a bachelor of arts in economics at a four-year university. Oakton offers a variety of courses with credits that will transfer to other institutions.

In courses like Elements of Economics and Principles of Macroeconomics, you'll study modern economic theories and policies while learning about fiscal topics including taxes, inflation, economic growth, banking and more. These classes will provide useful knowledge not just for economics students, but anyone considering a career in business, banking or public service, or just looking to better understand the workings of government and society.

Pre-Major

Our Pre-major is recommended for students who are considering completing a Bachelor’s degree in Economics after transferring to a four-year institution. It is designed for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university.

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Job Outlook

Micro and Macro Economics

Economics studies how individuals evaluate alternatives and make better choices with limited resources. It encompasses two key categories.

Microeconomics focuses on the actions of individuals—both consumers and producers—with a particular focus on product or factor markets. Microeconomics also studies the role of government in creating and regulating markets, firms and other important economic institutions.

Macroeconomics looks at the economy as a whole and examines broad issues such as growth, unemployment, inflation and trade balance.

Potential Careers

The study of economics helps develop a wide range of analytical and critical thinking skills, which opens up many diverse career opportunities in both the finance and non-profit sectors:

  • business
  • banking
  • government
  • urban planning
  • international development
  • policy analysis
  • journalism
  • law
  • education

Faculty

Oakton's economics courses are taught by an experienced, credentialed team of professors and lecturers.

Meet out full-time faculty

Kayla Mitchell
Chair, EGHPS (Economics, Geography, History, and Political Science)
Associate Professor, Economics
B.B. Western Illinois University
M.A. Western Illinois University
Areas of Specialization: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
kmitchell@oakton.edu 
847.376.7256
Office: 2602, Des Plaines

Elena Ermolenko Fein
Professor, Economics
Diploma of Specialist (DS) Khabarovsk State Academy of Economics and Law (Russia)
M.A. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Areas of Specialization: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics & Essentials of Economics
eermolen@oakton.edu
847.376.7215
Office: 2452, Des Plaines

Meet our part-time faculty

Eric Bottorff
Lecturer
B.A. Indiana University
M.A. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
M.A. University of Illinois, Chicago
ebottorf@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Samira Chaker
Lecturer
B.B.A. University of Algiers, Algeria
M.BA. University of Algiers, Algeria
M.S. University of Montreal, Canada
schaker@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Sylvia Cielak
Lecturer
B.A. Northwestern University
M.A. Northwestern University
scielak@oakton.edu 
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Steven Ko
Lecturer
B.A. University of Chicago
M.S. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
M.BA. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Areas of Specialization: Multinational Corporations & Global Transfer Pricing Documentation, Principles of Microeconomics & Principles of Macroeconomics
sko@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Eric Miller
Lecturer
B.S.E University of Michigan
M.A. University of Central Florida
emiller@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

David Williams
Lecturer
B.A. Harvard University
M.BA. Loyola University - Chicago
Areas of Specialization: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics & Essentials of Economics
dwilliam@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

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