Career Opportunities

Why do economics majors earn more money?
Why do economics majors earn more on average than general business majors? Why do they earn more than Liberal Arts majors? What makes the difference? The most fundamental and enduring strength of economics is that it provides a logical way of looking at a variety of problems. The field of economics covers topics ranging from making sound business decisions to societal issues and to global issues.

Economic tools can be applied to politics, the analysis of crime, the environment, taxes, health, safety, engineering, insurance, finance, labor, product quality, international trade, and other areas. An undergraduate education in economics enables individuals to better understand many issues and ultimately, to help resolve them.

Career Opportunities for Undergraduates

When you graduate with a degree in economics you will be well prepared for many business occupations. Students are taught skills that are especially important in forecasting, planning and evaluating business opportunities. Since problem solving skills are integrated into the economics curriculum at UCF, our students are prepared for many important entry-level positions in business.

Graduate Economics Positions

Among the large number of job titles held by Economics graduates are Auditor, Market Analyst, Budget Analyst, Marketing Administrator, Credit Analyst, Pricing Analyst, Economic Analyst, Product Manager, Environmental Planner, Purchasing Analyst, Financial Analyst, Real Estate Appraiser, Import & Export Agent Reporter, Insurance Agent, Research Analyst, Loan Officer, Sales Analyst, Loan Review Analyst, Stock Broker, Lobbyist, Statistician, Management Consultant, and Underwriter.

Careers in Government

Federal, state and local government agencies offer extensive employment opportunities. At the federal level, the departments of the Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, and State are the largest employers. The types of jobs in government agencies range across the fields of agriculture, business, finance, international trade, transportation, urban economics, and utilities.

Preparation for Graduate Study

The undergraduate economics major gives you a competitive advantage over other majors. If your goal is to become an attorney, economics offers excellent preparation. Many law school representatives believe that economics represents one of the best backgrounds for success because of its logical, ordered approach to problems. In addition, economists are often called upon to give expert testimony in courts. In fact, several graduate schools in the U.S. offer graduate programs of study leading to joint degrees in law and economics. An undergraduate major in economics prepare students for work on a master's degree or Ph.D. in economics. The advanced degree will broaden you opportunities and increase your earnings.

Employment Prospects for Economists

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for economists is expected to increase as fast as the average of all occupations  through 2008. Opportunities should be best in manufacturing, financial services, advertising agencies, research organizations, and consulting firms. The continued need for economic analysis by lawyers, accountants, engineers, health services administrators, urban planners, and others will increase the number of jobs for economists.