What Can You Do With An Economics Degree

An economics degree will boost your employability in many fields, no matter what industry you work in. The high demand for graduates in high numbers across the global labor market and the widely transferable analytical and problem solving skills developed by economics students means that economics is extremely large and diverse.

Below is a range of popular economics careers, with details on what to expect and the skills you’ll need. For more tips on how to get a graduate job, read our guide on how to find a graduate job. Let find out What Can You Do With An Economics Degree below.

What Can You Do With An Economics Degree

Professional economist’s career

As a professional economist, you will be involved in the research and analysis of economic data, issues and trends. For the majority of an economist’s career, you’ll need to study economics at the graduate level to gain the necessary technical skills. To become a professional economist, you also need to be confident in making economic forecasts and reports to present to clients individuals, companies, financial institutions and government agencies and advise on business policy or strategy accordingly.

Employers may include local and national governments, public and private banks, insurance companies, consulting organizations, large multinational companies, financial consultants, accounting firms and local government. Proper awareness of current affairs and economic context is essential in these roles.

Economics and career in banking

The banking profession is very popular with economics graduates, offers high income and is in high demand for economic professionals. Graduates with a background in economics are particularly appreciated for roles in financial control, financial planning, risk analysis, data analysis and consulting.

With a focus on keeping the financial requirements of clients and businesses on track, the banking industry is primarily concerned with advising and providing services to a wide range of banking customers and consumers. What Can You Do With An Economics Degree.

Professional economics in accounting

To become a qualified accountant, you will need additional qualifications, but many accounting roles are open to those who have studied economics. In an accounting role, you can work across a variety of industries, focusing on overseeing the financial health of an organization, business or individual. Accounting professions often focus on recording, classifying, interpreting, and communicating financial data.

These careers require strong analytical skills, math proficiency, computer literacy, an understanding of all the financials of a company, and the ability to contextualize the data collected. Economics graduates are often able to understand complex data sets and identify the roots of financial problems, making them well suited to accounting roles. That is once of What Can You Do With An Economics Degree.

Professional economics in business and financial consulting

Economists and economists are at the heart of the world of business and financial advice. Economics graduates may find positions in medium and large organizations where economic studies are required. The role of an economic researcher requires in-depth knowledge of economic theories and models, thorough analytical and problem solving skills, and mathematical ability.

Financial advisors in economics will perform similar roles but may work for multiple clients instead of just one organization, generating reports and advising on business strategy. Up to date industry knowledge and awareness of corporate finance is essential in these roles.

Business economics in the public sector

Those who study economics will be appreciated in all areas of public and private spending, including roles in valuation and risk analysis, financial advice and economic planning. Economists make a career in the public sector that often deals with public taxes, transportation, commercial services and waste, energy, and other forms of government spending. That is once of What Can You Do With An Economics Degree.

Thanks in large part to the most recent global recession and the tightening of economic regulation by governments around the globe, economics students are now seeing an increase in demand in the field.

Jobs and careers with an alternative economics degree

With a background in economics, anything seems possible. Other common economics careers and roles include auditor, stockbroker, insurance company, sales manager, retailer, valuation analyst, statistician, consultant finance and sales staff.

But what can you do with an economics degree if none of the above appeals to you. Well, you may also want to consider these broader options: business intelligence, international development, human resource management, IT, journalism, law, management, market research, politics, public relations, social research and taxation.

Or, you can even become an entrepreneur and start your own business. If you’re stuck between studying economics or business administration, read advice from our international student bloggers here. What Can You Do With An Economics Degree.