ECONOMICS

AREA: GOVERNMENT

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

EMPLOYERS

  • 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

STRATEGIES

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.

AREA: ECONOMIC MARKET RESEARCH

  • Research Analysis
  • Consulting

EMPLOYERS

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

STRATEGIES

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.

AREA: BANKING & FINANCE

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

EMPLOYERS

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

STRATEGIES

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.

AREA: INSURANCE

  • Underwriting
  • Sales
  • Operations
  • Claims

EMPLOYERS

  • Insurance firms

STRATEGIES

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

AREA: HEALTHCARE

  • Hospital Management
  • Healthcare Analysis

EMPLOYERS

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

STRATEGIES

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

AREA: OTHER BUSINESS AREAS

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

EMPLOYERS

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

STRATEGIES

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.

AREA: TEACHING

EMPLOYERS

  • Colleges and universities
  • Secondary public and private schools

STRATEGIES

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.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Choose a career focus and structure curricular and extra-curricular activities to achieve goals.
  • Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, or internship experience to enhance career path. For example, complete a finance-related internship if interested in a career in banking.
  • Develop an excellent background in research, statistics, and computers.
  • Earn a graduate degree in economics, business, or other related fields for increased marketability.
  • Do informational interviewing with professionals to learn more about fields of interest.