Economics

Government

Areas

• Cost Analysis
• Intelligence
• Foreign Trade Analysis
• Public Administration
• Transportation Management
• Urban Planning

Employers

Government departments involved in agriculture, business, finance, labor, transportation, urban economics, and international trade including: USDA, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the United Nations, and the General Accounting Office

Strategies

Become active in student government. Complete an internship in a government agency. Earn a graduate degree in economics, statistics, public administration, or related field for promotion and advancement. Become familiar with government hiring practices. Develop excellent computer, analytical, and quantitative skills.

Economic Market Research

Areas

• Research Analysis
• Consulting

Employers

• Market research firms
• Consumer goods manufacturing firms
• Business firms
• Consulting firms

Strategies

Supplement curriculum with courses in business, political science, research design, survey design, statistics, and computer science. Earn a graduate degree to obtain advanced research and consulting positions. Obtain experience in business research. Become a student member in related professional associations. Get involved in student or community organizations to develop leadership skills.

Banking & Finance

Areas

• Credit Lending
• Operations
• Systems
• Trusts
• Securities: Sales, Research

Employers

• Commercial banks
• Regional banks
• Savings and loan associations
• National and regional brokerage firms
• Discount brokerage houses

Strategies

Develop a solid background in business including finance, marketing, and accounting. Gain experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in financial service firms. Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele. Become the financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization. Get involved with an investments club.
Earn an MBA for positions in investment banking.

Insurance

Areas

• Underwriting
• Sales
• Operations
• Claims

Employers

• Insurance firms

Strategies

Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Earn a business minor.
Gain sales experience. Participate in campus organizations.

Healthcare

Areas

• Hospital Management
• Healthcare Analysis

Employers

• Private (LLC) corporations
• US Department of Health
• Hospitals
• Health Maintenance Organizations

Strategies

Earn a master's degree in public health or hospital administration. Gain experience in healthcare through internships.

Other Business Fields

Areas

• Management
• Buying and Purchasing
• Human Resources
• Hospitality
• Sales

Employers

• Department, grocery, drug, specialty, and variety store chains
• Hotels, resorts, and tourism councils
• Restaurants
• Large corporations

Strategies

Gain related business experience through internships or jobs. Demonstrate enthusiasm and flexibility. Secure leadership positions in campus organizations.
Earn a business minor. Obtain sales experience.

Teaching

Areas

Employers

• Colleges and universities
• Secondary public and private schools

Strategies

Earn a Ph.D to teach in post-secondary institutions. Gain research experience by assisting a professor. Obtain certification for public school positions. Get experience working with young people. Develop strong public speaking skills.

General Information

• Choose a career focus and structure curricular and extra-curricular activities to achieve goals.
• Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, or internship experience to enhance career path. For example, complete a finance-related internship if interested in a career in banking.
• Develop an excellent background in research, statistics, and computers.
• Earn a graduate degree in economics, business, or other related fields for increased marketability.
• Do informational interviewing with professionals to learn more about fields of interest.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer