What Can I Do with a Career in Economics?

Through the study of Economics, you develop skills for collecting and analyzing data, researching trends, and evaluating economic issues. Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies need these skills in order to implement informed business and policy practices.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for economists should grow due to the increasing complexity of the global economy, additional financial regulations, and a more competitive business environment.

Potential Career Fields
There is so much that you can do with your degree. Below are some initial options from the Occupational Outlook Handbook and other resources that you can explore. Watch the video from the American Economic Association, “A career in economics… it’s more than you think” (8 mins)

What Alumni Are Doing with this Major According to LinkedIn
Connect with Alumni to help you explore and gain insights on industries. You can do this through informational interviewing.

Recent placements after B.A. Economics

  • Consultant – FactSet
  • Analyst – Wells Fargo
  • Analyst – Accuen
  • American Economic Association Summer Training & Minority Fellowship
  • Associate Accountant, Accountemps, Hotwire
  • Computer Systems Analyst – Pacific Gas & ElectricCompany
  • Acquisition Integrations and Divestitures Manager– Cisco
  • Quantitative Risk Analyst – First Republic Bank
  • Credit Risk Analyst – MUFG UnionBank
  • Director of Software Engineering – Salesforce
  • Consulting Group Analyst – Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Recent placements after M.A. Economics

  • Ph.D program, Economics: University of Wisconsin, Madison| UC Berkeley, Santa Cruz, Davis| University of Washington, Seattle | University of Rochester
  • Data Analyst and Coordinator – National Bureau of Economic Research
  • Energy Analyst– Applied Energy Group, Inc.
  • Research Analyst– Bay Area Council Economic Institute
  • Analytics Developer – Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Recent placements after M.A. Economics (continued)

  • Lecturer positions, Economics, SFSU, University of San Francisco, Diablo Valley College, CCSF, Sonoma State
  • Economist – John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
  • Analyst – Union Bank
  • Analyst – PG&E

College of Business Organizations
Check out student organizations within the College of Business who can help you network, develop skills, and learn more about possibilities within this major.

Professional Associations
Professional associations can be a great way to learn about what is going on in industries and companies that may be relevant to your major. Often these associations have low-cost membership fees for students and may special internship programs, scholarships, or networking events that will promote the professional development of future professionals. Here are some professional associations that you may want to explore.

Career Research Resources

Jobs/Internships
Check out the resources below to help you explore jobs/internships to gain experience.

Jobs/Internships
The Economics Department in the College of Business at SF State has compiled a list of helpful resources for students with information on information on what the economics major offers, salaries of economics majors, internships and jobs, graduate school preparation in economics, data and reading materials.

Need Assistance?

If you need assistance with figuring out what to do with your major or with finding job/internship opportunities, please check out the College of Business Career Center in BUS 137. You can email cobcareer@sfsu.edu or call 415-338-2509 to set up an in-person, phone, or video appointment.

For additional support, you can check out the SFSU Career Services and Leadership Development (CSLD).