Growing Your Career in Economics

Our economic system is incredibly complex. From small personal transactions to massive movements in the stock market and interest rates, everything that happens in the world of finance and money can affect just about everything else. Understanding this system is difficult, and even trying to do so can be overwhelming — but it's a challenge that economists welcome. If you have a talent for the economics that shape our communities, countries, and entire world, then you might want to pursue a career in economics. Here's what you need to know. What is economics, and how is it different from finance? A lot of people pursue careers related to money and the ways in which it moves. We've all seen footage of stock trading floors. We've all read about high finance, and we've all seen the movies about the fast-paced world of finance. But big business and finance aren't for everyone — and, even if they are for you, you might be seeking a specific role that involves more of an economics bent. And economics is not quite the same thing as finance. Economics is the study of our whole economy. That includes stocks and bonds, but it also includes many other things. Sure, there's plenty of overlap. The state of consumer confidence, for instance, is an economics question that the finance-focused pros are often interested in. But economics can focus on things that the finance people just don't care about. For instance, an economist might study a barter economy in an isolated society that doesn't have much of anything to do with the Dow Jones Industrial Average. When you pursue a degree and a career in economics, you're focusing on the study of economic factors. You're looking for a deeper understanding, a bigger picture, and a view of the global economy that goes beyond the financial markets. What can you do with an economics degree? This doesn't mean that you can't go into finance with an economics degree — it just means that your educational focus will be somewhat different in a way that might influence your career arc. With an economics degree, you could end up working in finance, but you could also do a whole lot of other things. Economists are the experts who help guide our biggest businesses. They're the people who advise elected officials on matters of immense economic importance. Economic experts who hold appointed and elected positions in our state and federal governments — and, for that matter, in world governmental organizations — control key levels that can move our whole economy. Other experts write about economics for the masses, while still more teach a new generation of smart, principled, and driven economists. There’s so much you can do. How to build and improve your career in economics Your journey in economics will begin as an undergraduate. If you choose to major in economics, you'll open up a lot of great career options while setting yourself up for potential further education and certification in economics. With a bachelor's degree in hand, you could consider moving on to master’s and Ph.D. programs in economics. You don't have to head back to school just as soon as you graduate from a bachelor's degree program — in fact, a few years of work experience can be helpful as you apply to some programs. Part-time and online programs make it easier than ever to fit further education into your busy schedule, meaning that you can build your career without putting it on hold. You could get an online economics degree while also earning money and building experience. No matter what path you choose in economics, focus on the things that appeal to you and challenge you. You’ll find that great careers await.