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Career Information for Economics Majors

Introduction

Economics is the study of the production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services. Economics study attempts to clarify how the use of natural, technological, and financial resources affect the lives of human beings.
from: College Majors and Careers: A Resource Guide for Effective Life Planning. 5th ed. by Paul Phifer. p. 74
BUSCAREER REF: HF5382.5.U5 P445 2003

Careers include:

May be employed by:

  • Federal Reserve System
  • Government agencies
  • Corporations
  • International agencies
  • Consulting firms
  • Bank
Specialties may include:
  • Economist
  • Industrial economist
  • Organizational economist
  • Demographic economist
  • Marketing and survey research

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

Search for reports on any of the above specialities or on Economics. OOH provides

  • Hundreds of types of jobs, accessible by job title or general occupational areas
  • Training & educational requirements
  • Salaries
  • Expected job growth
  • Job descriptions
  • Working conditions
  • Link to Career Guide for Industries

Career Databases

Vault Online Career Library:

  • Career articles
  • Descriptions of occupations
  • Occupational surveys
  • Company profiles
  • Industry guides
  • Vault print guides to individual companies, specific majors and career resources

WetFeet Career Guides:

  • University Park students may contact Career Services for electronic access to Wetfeet Guides
  • [For print resources in the Library, Check the CAT. In the Advanced Search, combine "WetFeet" as a keyword with a subject (like Economics or Resumes) to narrow your search.]
  • Career requirements
  • Geographic search capability
  • Interviews with recruiters
  • Articles
  • Job search strategies

Associations

Associations provide not only helpful information for practitioners, but wonderful career resources as well. Association web sites often have two levels of access: public information (free) and also information for members only (fee-based). Associations usually publish newsletters, journals and other resources to help their membership stay on top of issues in the profession. Links to related associations are usually posted.

American Economic Association

  • Resources primarily for members
  • Monthly job postings
  • Career articles

National Association for Business Economics

  • Chapters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
  • Student membership
  • Career articles
  • Job postings
  • Salary surveys

American Agricultural Economics Association

  • Focus on food and fiber industries
  • Local, state and international concerns
  • Student membership
  • Internship and job postings

Additional associations may be found in each report in the Occupation Outlook Handbook.

Find books, videos and other resources in the CAT:

Titles with numerous majors and occupations:
Suggested search term combinations:
  • Economics AND Careers
  • Economics AND Vocational Guidance

Find Articles in ProQuest

Proquest provides access to over 5000 titles. Suggested searches:

  • Specific companies
  • Corporate culture
  • Employee satisfaction
  • Economics AND careers
  • Browse publications such as The Wall Street Journal
  • Narrow search to trade publications

Find Company Information in Hoovers

  • Proprietary company and industry information
  • News
  • Career development
  • Industry trends

Search


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Reference Desk:
814-865-6369

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