WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN... ECONOMICS

www.sc.edu/career

ec·o·nom·ics

The social science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and with the theory and management of economies or economic systems.*

*"economics." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 24 Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/economics>.

Economics Majors Study

• The ways people make a living• Production, distribution, and consumption

of goods and services• The use of scare natural resources• Unemployment and inflation as they relate

to government policy and the economy • Costs versus benefits in developing

business strategies and plans of action

...And more

Economics At The University Of South

CarolinaThe University of South Carolina offers undergraduate degrees in economics through two of its colleges.

College of Liberal ArtsCourse work for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Economics focuses on humanities and the social sciences. A minor is also available.

Moore School of BusinessCoursework for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Economics focuses on principles of business. In addition, the Moore School of Business offers the Master of Arts (MA) in Economics as well as the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D).

Economics Degrees Develop Skills In

• designing surveys and planning methods for collecting data

• gathering data about economic conditions, customer product preferences, and income levels

• recording findings in detail

• using mathematical and statistical methods to interpret data

• explaining complex theories in oral and written presentations

• giving investment advise and predicting shifts in the economy

• explaining complex theories

Employment

• Economics is the study of how effectively society meets its human and material needs. It provides a logical, ordered way of looking at various problems. It draws upon history, philosophy, and mathematics to deal with a wide range of problems.

• As a result, economics is widely recognized as a solid background for many jobs and professions in business, consulting, education, government, and law.

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, human resource management, and actuary work.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce

• Actuary• Auditor• Bank Officer• Bond Trader• Business Manager• Compensation

Administrator• Consumer Affairs

Director

• Efficiency Expert• Industrial Buyer• Labor Relations

Specialist• Loan Officer• Property Manager• real Estate Broker• Sales Manager• Underwriter

Employment Settings

• Consulting: Includes historical, political, and socio-economic research; population and market surveying, social/cultural impact assessments of building and development, assessing policy and services, and constructing alternative business models.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Consulting

• Demographer• Business Forecaster• Chamber of Commerce

Analyst• Commodity-Industry

Analyst• Cost Analyst• Financial Economist• Financial Planner

• Institutional Research Director

• Litigation Analyst• Management

Consultant• Market Research

Analyst• Populations Studies

Analyst• Statistician

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require appropriate certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• Admissions Evaluator• Author/Writer• Career Counselor• College or University

Professor• Financial Aid Director• Guidance Counselor• Health Educator • Lecturer

• Math Instructor• Primary School Teacher• Program Manager• Secondary School

Economics Teacher• Student Affairs

Professional• Test Developer • Text Writer

Employment Settings• Government & Law:

Includes development, implementation, and analysis of public, domestic, and international policy, advancement of individual, group, and consumer rights. Also includes the management of government programs, especially those associated with economic development.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Government & Law

• Consumer Advocate• Campaign Manager• City Manager• Community Relations

Director• Congressional Aide• Elected Official• Economic Development

Coordinator

• Foreign Service Officer• Intelligence Agent • Labor Organizer• Legal Assistant• Lobbyist• Social Service

Administrator• Policy Analyst• Political Pollster

TOP 10 Occupations That Employ Persons With Only A Bachelor’s

Degree In Economics 1 Top and mid-level managers, executives

2 Insurance, securities, real estate, business services

3 Accountants, auditors, other financial specialists

4 Sales (including retail)

5 Low-level managers

6 Other marketing and sales occupations

7 Other service occupations (except health)

8 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and related occupations

9 Other administrative (ie. record clerks)

10 Construction trades, miners, well drillers, etc.

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want• Pursue an excellent

academic record• Acquire statistics and

computer skills• Develop good writing

and oral communication skills

• Learn to concentrate and work independently

• Obtain a graduate degree to achieve specialization promotion, or advancement (especially MBA or law)

• Gain experience through an internship, part-time or summer job

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want • Take courses in

business, political science, sampling theory, survey design and computer science

• Become a student member of professional organizations

• Develop strong analytical skills

• Develop a strong business, math, and consumer needs orientation

• Gain sales and bookkeeping experience

• Acquire a business or language minor

• Learn to work as a member of a team

Books And Web Resources

Books

Job choices in business 2009 – None

Careers in business – by Lila B. Stair

Web Resources

National Congress for Community Economic Development – http://www.ncced.org/

National Economic Association – http://www.neaecon.org/index.htm

Resources For More Information

Economics Department

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/moore/economics/

Career Center Library

http://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Related Websites

http://www.sc.edu/career/la/economics.html

CAS Career Development Website

www.sc.edu/career/cascdp/

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: 803-777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)