Economics : Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Economist - provides specialist advice based on the application of economic theory and knowledge. Through studying data and statistics along with considerable research, economists are able to forecast future trends and make recommendations.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Financial risk analyst - identifies and analyses potential risks threatening the economic wellbeing of organisations. Financial risk analysts are responsible for predicting change, forecasting costs and predicting future trends. This role would allow economics graduates to use theories and models of economics as well as their advanced skills in statistical analysis.
• Chartered accountant, chartered certified accountant and chartered public finance accountant - employed within private practice, industry, commerce and the public sector, accountants in these roles deal with financial reporting and providing a wide range of accounting services. They utilise the statistical analysis and numeracy skills, as well as the decision making and reporting data skills, of economics graduates.
• Actuary - uses knowledge of business and economics, together with their understanding of probability theory, statistics and investment theory, to provide strategic, commercial and financial advice.
• Statistician - working in a wide range of sectors, statisticians are concerned with managing and designing collections of statistical data, analysis and interpretation of results and the subsequent presentation of findings. This role is suited to economics graduates because of its high focus on analysis and numeracy.
• Civil Service fast streamer - an accelerated development programme preparing exceptional graduates for high-level positions within the civil service. Graduates can specialise depending on their interest, although the economist and statistician routes may be of particular interest to economics graduates.

Other options

In order to find out more about work in economics, you could consider applying for a place on the Government Economic Service (GES)  summer vacation placement scheme, which offers work experience opportunities for between six and 12 weeks. Individual government departments may also be able to offer unpaid work experience and you should contact the department directly to find out more.

You could also consider unpaid work experience or work shadowing in areas such as accountancy and finance. Contact local employers to see if they can help you.

Any work experience is good experience as it allows you to build essential skills in a variety of areas. Contact your local volunteering bureau for more information, or you could try Do-it  for volunteering opportunities.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.