Career Ideas for an Economics Major

GOVERNMENT

• Cost Analysis
• Intelligence
• Foreign Trade Analysis
• Public Administration
• Transportation Management
• Urban Planning

• Government departments involved in agriculture, business, finance, labor, transportation, urban economics, and international trade including: USDA, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the United Nations, and the General Accounting Office

Become active in student government. Complete an internship in a government agency. Earn a graduate degree in economics, statistics, public administration, or related field for promotion and advancement. Become familiar with government hiring practices. Develop excellent computer, analytical, and quantitative skills.

ECONOMIC MARKET RESEARCH

• Research Analysis
• Consulting

• Market research firms
• Consumer goods manufacturing firms
• Business firms
• Consulting firms

Supplement curriculum with courses in business, political science, research design, survey design, statistics, and computer science. Earn a graduate degree to obtain advanced research and consulting positions. Obtain experience in business research. Become a student member in related professional associations. Get involved in student or community organizations to develop leadership skills.

BANKING & FINANCE

• Credit Lending
• Operations
• Systems
• Trusts
• Securities: Sales, Research

• Commercial banks
• Regional banks
• Savings and loan associations
• National and regional brokerage firms
• Discount brokerage houses

Develop a solid background in business including finance, marketing, and accounting. Gain experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in financial service firms. Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele. Become the financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization. Get involved with an investments club.
Earn an MBA for positions in investment banking.

INSURANCE

• Underwriting
• Sales
• Operations
• Claims

• Insurance firms

Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Earn a business minor. Gain sales experience. Participate in campus organizations.

HEALTHCARE

• Hospital Management
• Healthcare Analysis

• Private (LLC) corporations
• US Department of Health
• Hospitals
• Health Maintenance
• Organizations

Earn a master's degree in public health or hospital administration. Gain experience in healthcare through internships.

OTHER BUSINESS AREAS

• Management
• Buying and Purchasing
• Human Resources
• Hospitality
• Sales

• Department, grocery, drug, specialty, and variety store chains
• Hotels, resorts, and tourism councils
• Restaurants
• Large corporations

Gain related business experience through internships or jobs. Demonstrate enthusiasm and flexibility. Secure leadership positions in campus organizations. Earn a business minor. Obtain sales experience.

TEACHING

• Colleges and universities
• Secondary public and private schools

Earn a Ph.D to teach in post-secondary institutions. Gain research experience by assisting a professor. Obtain certification for public school positions. Get experience working with young people. Develop strong public speaking skills.