Good economists like the challenge of difficult problems, enjoy making contributions to knowledge, and are self-confident enough to admit their mistakes. At first glance, it seems something of a stretch to suggest that professors, think tank researchers, government statisticians, or corporate forecasters are leaders. However, there are so many policy questions, that a high proportion of economists are regularly called upon to assist in answering questions related to macroeconomic, social, or financial policy, from the firm level to the national level. Economists tend not to shy away from these challenges, even though they are aware of the limitations of their analysis. In helping design solutions to tough problems, economists provide guidance and, ultimately, real leadership.
Economists are inquisitive people, usually with social concerns.
Economists, even those in business economics, tend to earn less than faculty in Finance or Marketing. In a sense, it is the price paid for being able to work in a broader field, with more emphasis on research than on teaching set material as part of a professional program. People exchange data sets and unpublished papers without fear of plagiarism. Suddenly the world made sense.