Econ Degree Careers

[Ajay]

I know there's alot of people on this board that have econ/finance degrees. I'm just curious to know what types of jobs you people are doing with your degree and how you got into it? Did you do any internships or anything?

[Shaolin]

I have 4 friends with Econ degrees.. 3 went into Real Estate and the other one got a job as a level entry Accounting Clerk.. he couldn't find a job with his Econ degree for 2 years.

[Pacman]

I have a finance degree and I currently work in pharmaceutical sales.

When I finished university many years ago I had a job offer with Nesbitt Burns for a entry level finance position, but I turned it down as I just wasn't interested in working in the financial industry.

The one thing youwill find when you start working is that just because you have a econ/finance degree, it doesn't mean you have to work in that specific industry. I have lots of friends with finance degrees who are in sales (pharma, oil&gas, packaged goods, IT, high tech, real estate etc), ....very few of them actually went and worked "finance" jobs when they finished school, as those jobs went to the handful of students who finished with very high grades and also had a real desire to get into that type of industry. There were also friends of mine that finished with finance degrees that only applied for finance related jobs. They would snub their noses any other job and hold out for the elusive high profile finance position. Most ended up taking entry level banking jobs (after passing up numerous other high paying jobs), and one of them still refuses to find a job until he can land a finance related job...and this is after 10 years!!

Your degree shows that you have the ability to be taught and that you are a critical thinker.......if you are open to jobs outside of "economics", there are lots of high paying jobs out there.

Pacman

[hampstor]

im a purchasor...

don't do the degree! it'll only waste your time!!

[Pacman]

Originally posted by hampstor
im a purchasor...

don't do the degree! it'll only waste your time!!

I would challenge you on you that statement. Having a degree will give a job candidate far more options for various job positions in different industry sectors vs somebody without a degree. Also, the earning potential is much higher.

It sounds like Ayjay already has or is close to finishing his degree and he's seeing what's out there.

[Ajay]

Yah I've almost completed my degree and just curious to know what types of jobs are available out there. I'm probably not going to do anything directly related to economics (ie analyst) but I do have an interest in the banking field.

Thanks for the help!

[rockym20]

As an econ grad, I can say this: you will not easily find an econ job without a Masters or PhD. However, if you really like economics that much, then you may as well continue with your education. I knew after my 3rd year (when 9 of my 10 classes were econ) that there was no way in hell I wanted to be an economist. I went on to take all my classes needed to be a CA (as an "unassigned student" or something like that), but didn't end up becoming an accountant either (thank god!). I did end up going into commercial banking.

As PacMan said, if you aren't tied to a specific industry or type of work, the degree will open a lot of doors for you. After you have been in the workforce for a few years, the type of degree becomes far less important than your work experience.

[Xtrema]

I would say that most would not find a job that a high school graduate can't do. I won't say the degree is useless, it will help you in promotions down the road. But econ degree is useless at the start.

Depending on your personality and connections, your best bet would be sales or real estate agent. Or you can do helpdesk type jobs answering phones and work your way up IT (will take some time depending how smart and lucky you are). And if you're a chick, receptionist or admin assistants.

There isn't a lot of jobs that aims at econ students. Most financial services will take finance and accounting graduates only. I would say you should prepare to be in school for 2 more years. Either get a finance or accounting degree or SAIT courses.

Good luck.

EDIT: I should learn to read, if you're graduating with a finance degree, hit the big 4 accounting firms for any type of finanical service jobs.

Then train yourself while you're there can get you CGA/CA. Or even CFP if you like to work in the investment industry. My sister went thru this route. It's a tough 3 years but now she make the big bucks as tax specialist.

Banks would hire as well bug salary is lower @ start.

I know a CA then turn CFP and make big bucks.

I know a CA that went back for law and became a tax lawyer also make big bucks.

Finance degree would be much better than econ degree, big time.

[Shaolin]

also to take into consideration.. my friend that got in as an entry level accounting clerk got a job doing Corporate Tax at Deloitte over the summer.. he was the only one that didn't get hired on full time at Deloitte because of his Econ degree.. everyone else that worked with him during the summer all got jobs at Deloitte..

[black j]

Econ Degree = Ding "Your fries are ready"

Sorry I had to.

[Ajay]

Well I was offered a job by Royal Bank and I would have had it all wrapped up IF it wasn't for the fact I won't graduate in time for the position to start.

I don't plan on being a professional economist by no means it doesn't interest me THAT much but with the experience I have now I think I'll be able to find something that'll be in my field or at least related somewhat.

And how do you know they didn't hire him on full time because of his Econ degree? They can't really do that based on what degree he possesses.

[Shaolin]

because if he was to do his CA he would've had to take a lot of courses to fulfill his pre-requisites.. also his boss that he's friends with actually told him "sorry, but you didn't get a job because you don't have an Accounting degree".

his boss wasn't in charge of the hiring though.. it was higher up in the dept that decided who they wanted to keep.

[hampstor]

Originally posted by Pacman


I would challenge you on you that statement. Having a degree will give a job candidate far more options for various job positions in different industry sectors vs somebody without a degree. Also, the earning potential is much higher.

It sounds like Ayjay already has or is close to finishing his degree and he's seeing what's out there.

got a few friends who also did econ degrees..

one of them is working in a warehouse ... the other is working for an oil firm, making < 45k a year (and this guy has a masters..)

i had my job before i graduated.

Having a degree in general sounds good on paper. However most people who have an econ degree will not actually use their degree with their first job therefore when they actually run into a job that will require it most of the information has already been fogotten!

However if Ajay is almost done his degree, i'd highly recommend seeing if he can still apply into the co-op program. That's going to be the best way of getting a career..

[Shaolin]

if you haven't started already... start networking with people in the industries you want to work in.. all of my previous opportunities and offers were through word of mouth..

Although I think if you want to be in the banking industry you shouldn't have too much troubles trying to find work.. I don't know anyone that had problems trying to get into the banking industry, whether starting as a teller, personal banker, etc..