What can I do With a Major in . . .?
What can I do with a Major in
Economics?
Economics belongs to the branch of knowledge known as the "Social Sciences." The social
sciences deal with both inter-generational and intra-generational interactions between human
beings in a society. Human activities can, of course, be studied from many different
perspectives. We could look at humans as political, psychological historical or economic
beings. A Political Scientist, for example, would analyse the political activities of the people
while an Economist would examine activities related to their livelihood. Human beings, in
order to fulfil their innate desire for food and shelter, engage in activities that lead them to
the production of goods such as food, clothing, housing and services. These acts of
production and consumption to satisfy human wants form the very basis of the subject-matter
of Economics. Perhaps observing people engaged in this pursuit, Alfred Marshall defined
economics as "a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life."
An Economics degree is a general degree, intended to teach problem solving skills as well as
basic economic principles. Other academic disciplines are indirectly related to Economics.
The social sciences, history, business administration, statistics, political science and
mathematics all influence Economics. Graduates will often find employment in these fields.
Careers in Economics
The following occupations may be directly or indirectly related to
Economics. Some of these careers may require additional
education/training beyond a Bachelors degree.
Banking/Finance/Securities
Analyst
Bank Management Trainee
Bond Trader
Bank Officer
Bank Research Analyst
Business Manager
Chamber of Commerce Member
Commodities Broker or Trader
Credit Analyst
Credit Lender
Economic Forecaster
Financial Analyst Commodity
Financial Economist
Financial Planner/Analyst
Financial Officer
Financial Reporter
Financial Researcher
Financial Service Manager
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager
Food & Beverage Sales
Forecaster
Front House Operations
General Management
Hospitality
Hospitality Manager
Industrial Transportation Specialist
What can I do With a Major in...?
Industry
Investment Administrator
Investment Analyst
Investment Banker
Labour Economist
Labour Relations Specialist
Litigation Analyst
Loan Counsellor
Profit Investment Coordinator
Operations Manager
Rate Analyst
Sales & Marketing
Securities Analyst
Securities Sales, Research,
Operations
Securities Trader
Statistician
Trust Administrator
Business
Actuary
Actuarial Assistant
Advertising Copywriter
Auditor
Benefits Coordinator
Business Administrator
Business Analyst
Compensation/Benefits Administrator
Consulting
Cost Analyst
Cost Determinations Economist
Cost Estimator
Customer Profit Analyst
Development Specialist
Economist
Economic Consultant
Economic Forecaster
Entrepreneur International Trade
Foreign Trade Analyst
Industrial Economist
Institutional Research
Insurance Agent
Insurance Claims Adjuster
Insurance Operations
Insurance Underwriting Trainee
International Trade Specialist
Labour Analyst
Management Consultant
Market Research Analyst
Media Planner
Populations Studies
Pricing Analyst
Public Relations
Real Estate Agent/Broker
Retail Buyer
Retail Sales Manager
Sales Analyst
Sales Representative
Staff Trainer
Store Management
Strategic Planner
Wage and Salary Administrator
Education/Communication
Columnist
Educational Television Advisor
Higher Education Administration
Information Analyst
Journalist
Professor
Teacher
Technical Writer
Writer
Government/Public Sector
Budget Office Assistant
Budget Officer
Claims Examiner
Consultant/Analyst
Demographer
Financial Planner
Foreign Trade Analyst
Government Administrator
Housing Development Aide
Lawyer
Legislative Assistant
Lobbyist
Management
What can I do With a Major in...?
Policy Analyst
Politician
Population Studies Analyst
Public Administrator
Regional/Urban Planner
Research Assistant
Social Security Administration
Tax Auditor
Transportation Specialist
Other
Consumer Affairs Director
Consumer Goods
Efficiency Expert
Estate Planner Buyer
Healthcare Administrator
Information Scientist
Intelligence Agent
Manufacturers Rep
Market Research Analyst
Public Administrator/Manager
Salesperson/Broker
Underwriter
Non-government organizations (NGO’s)
Many of the job titles listed previously are
also available in
NGO’s
Economic Sites
Canadian Economics Association
http://economics.ca/
Canadian Association for Business Economics (CABE)
http://www.cabe.ca/
American Economic Association
www.aeaweb.org
The Economics Degree
www.swcollege.com/bef/career_resources_degree.html
What can I do With a Major in...?
National Association for Business Economics
www.nabe.com/
Stacey Kadyschuk’s Development Economics Links
(University of Regina graduate)
http://www.yorku.ca/careers/downloads/CareerExplorationPanels/EconomicsNextSteps.pdf
The Economist (British magazine)
www.economist.com
Canadian Economic Research (RBC)
http://www.rbc.com/economics/index.html
Economies around the World
http://www.economywatch.com/
Glossary of Economic Terms
http://www.economywatch.com/indianeconomy/glossary-of-economic-terms.html
Careers in Economics
Job Prospects: Job Openings for Economists (JOE)
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos055.htm
Career Owl – job listings in Canada
http://www.careerowl.ca/
Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S.)
http://www.bls.gov/OCO/
Job Futures
http://www.umanitoba.ca/Student/counselling/WhatCanIDo/economics.html
Careers in Undergraduate Economics
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AEA/students/Careers.htm
Economic Job Outlook
http://www.econ-jobs.com/blog/economics-jobs-blog/2009/01/economics-careers-and-joboutlook/
Careers in Business
www.careers-in-business.com/
What can I do With a Major in...?
Canadian Labour Market Information
www.labourmarketinformation.ca
Work Infonet
www.workinfonet.ca
National Occupational Classification and Career Handbook
Internet System
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/CH/2001/IntroductionNOCandCH.aspx