CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMICS MAJORS

If there is one question that career counselors and faculty advisors are asked more often than all others by students seeking assistance with career planning, it is this: "What can I do with this major?" An undergraduate student in the liberal arts and sciences is actually developing a broad array of skills that might be applied to any number of careers, rather than developing an in-depth expertise in just one area. Therefore, a better question to pose might be: "What skills am I developing in my major, and how might I explore careers that would require these skills?"

An economics degree provides solid preparation for a variety of careers. People with training in economics are good at problem solving because they learn to identify problems, to specify alternative solutions, to determine what data is relevant, and to objectively weigh costs and benefits in making decisions. Because economics majors have skills that can be applied in several fields, they work in many different occupations, such as purchasing/sales, financial analysis, accounting, banking, management, and systems analysis.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

Able to make sound predictions
Ability to present/summarize research findings
Accounting skills
Analytical thinking
Communication skills-verbal & written
Critical thinking
Designing projects
Gathering information
Good reading skills
Great observational skills
Interpersonal/teamwork skills
Knowledge of statistical computer programs
Knowledge of the business world
Making decisions
Meeting deadlines
Organizational skills
Possess proficiency for accurate details
Problem solving skills
Preparing reports
Research skills
Statistics and computer skills

OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMICS MAJORS

This list is just a sampling of the possible occupations available to economic majors.

Actuary
Asset/Liability Manager
Assistant Buyer
Assistant Controller
Auditor
Bank Officer
Bond Trader
Broker
Budget Officer Assistant
Business Forecaster
Business Manager
Chamber of Commerce Analyst
Claims Adjustor
Commodities Trader
Compensation/Benefits Administrator
Computer Programmer
Consultant
Consumer Affairs Director
Controller
Cost Analyst
Credit Analyst / Loan Officer
Demographer
Economic Forecaster
Efficiency Expert
Employee Benefits Consultant
Entrepreneur
Estate Planner
Financial Analyst
Financial Economist
Financial Officer
Foreign Service Officer
Government Administrator
Healthcare Administrator
Hospitality Manager
Housing Development Aide
Industrial Economist
Industrial Market Analyst
Industrial Transportation Specialist
Industrial/Institutional Buyer
Institutional Research Director
Intelligence Agent
Internal Auditor
International Banking Analyst
Journalist
Labor Economist
Labor Relations Specialist
Legislator's Assistant
Litigation Analyst
Lobbyist
Management Consultant/Analyst
Manpower Planner
Market Research Analyst
Marketing Manager
Mortgage Specialist
Pension Funds Administrator
Politician
Population Studies Analyst
Pricing Analyst
Private Economic Researcher
Property Manager
Public Administrator
Public Opinion Pollster
Public Utilities Manager
Rate Analyst
Real Estate Agent/Broker
Revenue Officer
Sales and Marketing Representative
Securities Analyst
Securities Salesperson
Securities Trader
Staff Analyst
Statistician
Systems Analyst
Systems Design Analyst
Tax Auditor
Teacher
Technical Writer
Transportation Specialist
Treasury Management Specialist
Trust Administrator
Underwriter
Urban/Regional Planner

Suggestions to Enhance Your Skills

Develop a portfolio that includes papers/projects/web sites/etc. (See Career Services for assistance)

Learn how to produce a web site
Obtain internships (i.e. in business, government, non-profits, etc.)
Get involved in social justice activities (i.e. Bread for the World, Tuesday Banquet, Food Shelf, FISH. Etc.)
Learn to concentrate and work independently
Become active in student government
Become a student member of the American Marketing Association, or other professional organizations
Learn how to collect and organize data
Conduct research with a professor
Choose a minor that will augment your major, such as a business minor
Work at the Student Voice
Assist with phone interviewing for charities or political campaigns
Get cashier, teller or clerical experience
Assist with fund-raising drives
Get sales experience
Secure leadership positions in campus organizations
Get experience in benefits/personnel area of corporations or insurance companies

RESEARCHING YOUR CAREER IDEAS

How do you find out what’s out there?
Researching careers is a time-consuming, but necessary process. Waiting until graduation to start thinking about your career plans is as absurd as studying after you’ve taken your final exams.

1. Written and On-line Resources:

Visit Career & Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center (located on the Ground Floor of East Hathorn Hall)

Visit the Chalmer Davee Library
Browse the Internet, such as Career & Counseling Services’ Web Page (www.uwrf.edu/ccs)

2. People Resources:

Talk with Faculty and Alumni
Join Professional Organizations
Conduct Occupational Interviews
Use Career & Counseling Services’ “Career Information Network”
Consult Employer Directories and the Yellow Pages

3. Obtain Direct Experience:

Job Shadowing
Volunteer or part-time work
Internships are essential! Talk with your departmental faculty coordinator for internship information

CAREER RESOURCES FOR ECONOMICS MAJORS

Career & Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center (Ground Floor, East Hathorn Hall)
Career & Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center is open every day from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; we are also open until 7:00 PM Thursday evenings. The following books in our Resource
Center may be of particular interest to students majoring in Economics:

Job Opportunities for Business Majors
Directory of University Resources for Business and Industry
Business and Finance Career Directory
Great Jobs for Business Majors
Career Choices for the 90’s Business
Career Choices for the 90’s Economics
Opportunities in Finance
Job Opportunities for Business Majors
Marketing and Sales Career Directory
Careers in Marketing
Selling for Dummies
Robert Half’s Success Guide for Accountants
Career Choices for the 90’s MBA
Opportunities in Banking Careers
Opportunities in Customer Service Careers
Opportunities in Office Occupations
Opportunities in Marketing Careers
Opportunities in Accounting Careers
Opportunities in Sales
Opportunities in Human Resource Management Careers
Opportunities in Business Communication Careers
Opportunities in International Business Careers
Opportunities in Your Own Service Business
Opportunities in the Field of Accounting - Like it is
Breaking into the Trade Game
The Work at Home Source Book
Self-Employment – From Dream to Reality
80+ Great Ideas for Making Money at Home
The Ultimate Home and Office Survival Guide
The Complete Guide to Consulting Success