Congratulations on declaring Economics as your major at Washington University! What an exciting time and we just wanted you to know that the Career Center is here for you. As you start preparing for summer internships, here are some important steps to consider:

1.  What are my specific interest areas, my natural style of work and what kind of work environments are best suited to my personality?

Take the MBTI/Strong assessments and meet with an advisor to review your results. Our discussion can help you consider different career areas, industries, and define your strengths in the world of work or in higher education.

2.  What if I am majoring in Economics but may have other career interests?

As an Economics major you will gain problem-solving and organizational skills, analyzing complex data sets, technical and computer expertise as well as developing and presenting logical conclusions. These are transferrable skills that can apply to a wide array of career interests.

3.  So I’ve just declared my major, what next steps should I be considering specifically regarding my use of Career Center services?

·  Update your resume- list your accomplishments and in a readable and ready format.

·  Secondly, construct a generic cover letter that you can customize depending your application.

·  Regularly check CareerLink for information on such career events as: career fairs (fall & spring), internships and jobs, events, programs and workgroups related to industry and job areas.

·  For international students the job or internship search may be more complex. Work with a career advisor to research careers or industries where work status issues are less of an obstacle.

·  Fall and Winter Road Shows are another great way to meet employers in various cities around the country. We offer Fall Road Shows to Chicago-consulting, design, and finance. Over winter break we take students, groups up to 15 students to major cities like New York, Washington DC, Houston, San Jose (Silicon Valley) and Los Angeles. Meeting employers on-site is a great small group experience that can often lead to summer internship opportunities.

·  Junior Jumpstart (for rising seniors the end of Spring semester) and Career Camp (prior to the start of Fall semester) are two separate day-long programs we offer to students

·  Start thinking about internship opportunities this summer. If you find an unpaid internship or available for academic credit, we can help you discuss these options, including the Career Center Stipend Program (thorough an application process you may be eligible for a stipend to offset some of your summer living expenses). Deadlines are mid-March and mid-April 2013.

4.  What are the realistic possibilities with an Economics major?

Higher Education

Pursuing a PhD may be your final destination. If research, teaching and inspiring other bright young minds is for you a post graduate track in higher education, this is a natural next step after completing your undergraduate degree.

Finance, Accounting and Banking

Economics majors have a good understanding of financial concepts and strategies. If you also have a talent for drawing conclusions and have strong communication skills in leading outcomes this may be a great area for you. Companies that fit within this category who recruit on campus include: Capital One, Ernst & Young, Barclays Capital, Cornerstone Financial Group, Edward Jones, Morningstar, Inc, Nisa Investment Advisors, PWC, Scottrade, Inc. and Wells Fargo.

Government & Public Policy

If you are interested in socioeconomic class issues as well as economic trends, consider jobs in government and public policy. Government jobs may include working for the Department of Labor, the Federal Reserve or the Department of Commerce. Public policy jobs are too numerous to mention and are based on a wide array of socio-economic factors. Some of the more prominent public policy organizations that recruit on campus include The Brookings Institution, Center for American Progress, American Foreign Policy Council, Cato Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, FDIC, The White House, US Department of State, US Department of Homeland Security, and US Department of Commerce.

Business, Sales & Marketing

An Economics major is a broad discipline that develops strong transferrable skills across general business occupations. People in business need to be detail-oriented and can work well under pressure. Business people need to be able to analyze trends, predict future demand and make critical business recommendations across many levels in a corporate hierarchy. Economists do well as marketing and business analysts, business consultants, entrepreneurs and in upper-management positions. Sales and marketing jobs are also popular career areas for economics majors. Companies that recruit on campus in these areas include: Accenture, Deloitte, Epic, General Mills, Google, Maximus, Mercer, Microsoft, ZS Associates just to name a few.

Other Career Options

Economists also work in research, journalism, nonprofit organizations and pursue the law. Organizations that may be of interest to you in these areas include: Analysis Group, Economic Consulting and Nera Economic Consulting.

February 13, 2013

Washington University Career Center

Danforth University Center, Room 110; Call us at 314-935-5930 to make an appointment