As a student, preparing for your career starts as early as Senior High School (SHS). So if you’re considering a future in economics, choosing the right BS Economics SHS strand is where you begin.
To help you with your decision, this blog discusses the ideal strands for economics, the courses within the strands, and the career opportunities you can pursue. This reading is an extension of our guide to all strands in senior high, specifically made for students who are planning to take economics as their major.
But, before we jump into the ideal economics senior high school strands, let us first talk about what it is.
Economics in a Nutshell
Economics is often dubbed as the “science of choice” because, like our decisions, it affects most aspects of our human experience. It’s a multifaceted discipline that analyzes the distribution of limited resources to meet unlimited human wants and needs.
This science explores how individuals, businesses, governments, and societies make decisions about production, distribution, and consumption. It tackles both microeconomics, focusing on individual behavior and market interactions, and macroeconomics, examining the overall performance of economies.
So, What is the SHS Strand for BS Economics?
The BS Economics strand in SHS falls under the academic track of the K to 12 curriculum. To give you a brief overview of the academic track, here are the strands under the track:
- Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand: This strand for business management is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and related fields.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand: STEM is tailored for students passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It prepares them for careers in engineering, information technology, medicine, research, and other STEM-related fields.
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand: HUMSS is suitable for students interested in studying human behavior, society, culture, politics, history, and literature. It provides a foundation for careers in social sciences, humanities, law, communication, and education.
- General Academic Strand (GAS): GAS offers a broad and flexible curriculum that allows students to explore various academic disciplines. It is suitable for those who have not yet decided on a specific career path or who wish to pursue interdisciplinary studies.
Based on this summary, the BS Economics strand falls under the ABM strand or GAS. Both of these academic tracks can be beneficial for your studies in economics, perfect if you have a keen interest in understanding economic phenomena, analyzing data, and developing critical thinking skills.
To further understand the benefits of the GAS and ABM strands, let’s talk more about how they can be great programs to enroll in as your online senior high school program in the Philippines.
The Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand
The Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand in senior high school is a great foundation if you’re pursuing a degree in economics. While it doesn’t specifically focus solely on economics, it provides you with a strong background in business, finance, and management that can be highly relevant to economics studies.
Some of the ABM courses you can expect from the strand are:
- Oral Communication
- Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
- Philosophy
- English for Professional and Academic Purposes
- Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business, and Management
- Media and Information Literacy
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Applied Economics
Overall, while the ABM strand does not specifically focus on economics, it provides a valuable educational pathway that can prepare you for further studies in economics at the tertiary level. The skills and knowledge gained through the ABM strand can be applied to various careers in economics, finance, business, and management, making it an excellent choice if you’re interested in pursuing a BS Economics degree.
The General Academic Strand
The General Academic Strand in SHS offers a broad and flexible curriculum that allows you to explore various academic disciplines. While the GAS does not specialize in any specific field like the other strands, it provides you with a well-rounded education that prepares you for a wide range of college courses and careers.
The core subjects you can expect from GAS are:
- Oral Communication
- Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
- Philosophy
- English for Academic and Professional Purposes
- Reading and Writing
- Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking
- Organization and Management
- Media and Information Literacy
- Entrepreneurship
- Applied Economics
The General Academic Strand equips you with a diverse set of skills and knowledge that apply to most professions. If you decide to pursue economics as you go through this strand, you can choose more economic-specific classes to take as your elective. The GAS, overall, serves as an excellent option if you prefer a broad-based education and wish to keep your options open for future academic and professional pursuits.
What are the Skills You Will Develop?
Whether you choose the ABM strand or the GAS academic track as your SHS program, both curriculums foster the development of various skills that are highly valued in today’s competitive job market. Some of the key skills you can expect to cultivate include:
- Analytical Thinking: Economics requires you to analyze complex data, evaluate economic theories, and draw logical conclusions, honing your analytical thinking skills.
- Critical Reasoning: You learn to critically evaluate economic policies, assess their implications, and propose informed solutions to economic problems.
- Quantitative Analysis: Econometrics and statistical methods equip you with the ability to analyze economic data and conduct empirical research.
- Communication Skills: Economics involves presenting arguments, interpreting data, and communicating findings effectively, enhancing your oral and written communication skills.
- Problem-Solving: Economics challenges you to identify and solve real-world economic problems, fostering your problem-solving abilities.
All these skills come in handy once you start your career in economics. These learnings are the base of your future professional growth.
Career Opportunities to Expect from the SHS Strand for BS Economics
Obtaining a BS Economics degree opens up a list of exciting career opportunities across different sectors. Some potential career paths include:
- Economic Analyst: Economic analysts assess economic trends, conduct research, and provide insights to businesses, government agencies, and financial institutions to inform decision-making.
- Policy Analyst: Policy analysts evaluate public policies, assess their impact on society and the economy, and make recommendations for policy improvements.
- Financial Analyst: Financial analysts analyze financial data, evaluate investment opportunities, and provide recommendations to investors and businesses.
- Market Research Analyst: Market research analysts study consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscapes to help businesses make informed marketing and strategic decisions.
- Government Economist: Government economists analyze economic data, forecast economic trends, and provide economic advice to government agencies to guide policymaking.
BS Economics empowers you to make a meaningful impact in economies and beyond. Regardless of which economics profession you pursue, you are poised to make significant contributions to your respective fields, driving positive change in society.
Shaping Your Future in Economics with OEd
Deciding which senior high school strand to take for BS Economics is a choice dependent on your aspirations. If you want a more focused program for economics, taking the ABM teaches you fundamental business skills. On the other hand, opting for the GAS academic track offers more flexibility in case you want to open your career options to other fields. Either choice is a great stepping stone for your career as an economist.
With that said, build a strong foundation in economic principles with OEd Senior High School. At our institution, we offer high-quality online distance learning in the Philippines that’s accessible to all types of students. With our faculty of experienced teachers, we can guide and push you to reach academic excellence, preparing you for tertiary education.
Visit our website to learn more about our programs or get in touch with us today!
