Students who are interested in finance and economics may wonder how they can become more involved and educated within the field both inside and outside of the classroom. Fortunately, there are numerous extracurriculars and classes that students can take to learn more about what the field of economics entails and how they can take their knowledge to the next level. With that being said, here are some great extracurriculars and classes to take if you are interested in these fields.
Classes
AP Microeconomics
AP Microeconomics is a class in which students will be able to study the fundamental principles of economics that apply to the overall behavior of people within an economic system. Students will utilize graphs, charts, and other data to analyze and explain certain economic concepts. Within this class, you will learn the skills of defining economic models and ideas, explain financial outcomes, create models of economic situations with visual representations, and determine the results of specific economic situations. If you are interested in economics and your school offers this class, it would be worth considering taking it.
AP Macroeconomics
Although this class is similar to AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics focuses on country and government decisions and their impact on the economy. AP Macroeconomics takes economics to a more advanced level, as AP Microeconomics is a prerequisite to macroeconomics. You will develop similar skills and knowledge such as being able to define economic principles, determine and explain various economic outcomes, and model these types of situations with visual representations. While microeconomics focuses specifically on households and businesses, macroeconomics focuses on the entire scope of the economy.
Personal Finance
Personal Finance is a great class to take if you are interested in learning more about managing money, budgeting, insurance, mortgages, investments, banking, estate planning, retirement planning, and more. This class covers a diverse set of topics within the field of economics, so it is important that you take it if you are considering going into the field of economics. This class would also look good on your course list when applying to colleges as they would see that you are dedicated and taking the initiative to learn more about the field while in high school.
AP Statistic
AP Statistics is a fairly rigorous course that allows students to learn more about the concepts and tools used for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. In this class, you can expect to design surveys and experiments and draw conclusions based on the information you have gathered. This class will also involve analyzing specific trends and relationships as well as using probability to describe distributions, which are important factors of the field of economics. If you are interested in math and would like to show colleges that you are learning more about economics at a rigorous level, this class would be great for you.
Extracurriculars
Future Investors Club of America (Extracurricular)
Future Investors Club of America (FICA) is a nationally recognized program for students in which the primary goal is to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to earn, save, and invest money. By becoming a member of this club, students will be able to participate in programs, workshops, and activities to learn about the various aspects of economics while having fun at the same time. In addition, the club can choose specific FICA Special Training Programs to further obtain financial intelligence and training. To learn more about FICA and its mission, click here.
ActivityHero Content Marketing Internship
Aside from clubs and classes, there are ways for students who already have a decent amount of knowledge in economics and finance to put their skills into practice. The ActivityHero Content Marketing Internship is a job for high school juniors or seniors seeking experience in economics. By committing to this unpaid internship, students will learn more about business metrics, search engine optimization (SEO), and have the opportunity to get hands-on experience at a start-up business. To learn more about the job and what it entails, click here.
Stock Market Club
Stock Market Club is a fun way to learn more about economics during high school. In this club, students will learn about how the stock market functions, how to analyze and trade stocks, and how to make strong investment decisions. In addition, students will have the opportunity to compete in competitions at the local, state, and national levels. However, it is important to note that not every school will have this club available. If this is the case for you, you can consider starting your school’s chapter if you feel that you have the knowledge to do so.
Throughout high school, there are a number of ways for students interested in economics and finance to learn more about the fields and get involved. With the multitude of classes and extracurricular activities available, students can take these opportunities to stand out within these fields and even put their knowledge to the test through competitions and programs. If you are a student who is passionate about economics and finance, take this time to further discover your interests in these fields and learn how to stand out.
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