Economics: education and career options
Economists conduct and analyze research and report on economic
trends within governments, private enterprises, domestic and global
financial markets. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts job
prospects for economists as lower than average for the decade between
2008 and 2018, but this is largely due to economists finding jobs with
other job titles including:
- Business and financial analysts
- Market analysts
- Public policy consultants
- Research analysts and consultants
Private sector employment for economists typically requires a
master's degree or Ph.D. in economics; entry level positions for
economists in the federal government may require a bachelor's degree and
related work experience. The BLS reports the following research topics
for economists:
- Business cycles
- Employment levels
- Energy costs
- Exchange rates
- Domestic and international markets
- Inflation
- Interest rates
- Legislative impact
You can focus your graduate studies within specialized areas of
economics including macroeconomics, microeconomics, international
economics or labor economics. When researching graduate degree programs
and schools, select a traditional or online graduate degree program from
accredited colleges offering concentrations in areas matching your
professional interests and goals. The BLS forecasts that economists with
graduate degrees will likely find their best employment opportunities
in private sector jobs including management, scientific and technical
consulting.
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