+

Alumni Insights: What can I do with my Economics Degree?

Ed Fisher, Economics (BSc), 2007

+Making the most of the opportunities whilst studying

Time to do your research on industries, companies and their various graduate programmes

Be proactive and plan ahead

Have a strategy to help land you the job you want

Prioritize time to what comes next after university and have key milestones along the way

Formal / ad-hoc work experience

Easter / Summer internships

+Other benefits of being a Royal Holloway student

Strong recognized brand in the job market

Great range of clubs and societies

Mixing with people from diverse backgrounds

Careers office and advice

Based in London

+Maximizing your degree when applying for jobs

Focused on what you want to get out of your career

Emphasis on relevant aspects of your degree to the jobs you’re looking for, e.g. specific skills such as numeric analysis or problem solving very attractive to employers

Evidence of skills through specific courses and / or pieces of work

Why you picked your degree and the optional courses

The challenges and what you’ve learnt along the way from both setbacks and successes

+Where I am now and how I got there

A random walk or strategic planning?

Graduate scheme at Barclays Commercial

Structured Finance and then Real Estate Investment Banking areas in Barclays Capital; specializing into a product and then a sector

Director of a real estate investment firm; gamekeeper turned poacher?

Corporate life vs the boutique specialists

+Going for the job: general tips and advice for CVs and applications Don’t lie on your CV! But…

…do blow your own trumpet! Be enthusiastic about your life and your achievements

Show your interest in the company, the job, the market(s), related news stories that have interested you, etc etc

Look at the company’s strategy, reputation, its place in the market, what distinguishes it from its competitors, what it does (and doesn’t) do well

Really think about what you want to do before you apply, then look at the areas which will suit you best (and not the other way around)

+Going for the job: general tips and advice on interview technique Think ahead about what you want to convey, but speak

honestly / naturally rather than rehearsed answers

Professional attire – you need to look the part!

Ask lots of questions back; it shows you want to work there and that you want this job specifically, not just a job

Take any setbacks as a positive opportunity to improve

And finally – be open minded! Economists are welcome everywhere; government, finance, corporates, consulting, law, accountancy, charities / NGOs, overseas, academia…or start your own business!