Job Description

Analyze statistical information to estimate the economic costs of risk and uncertainty, typically in insurance. They often estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and/or retirement rates in order to design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums. They must pass a series of exams to become fully certified. One generally needs to have passed two or three of the exams in order to land an entry-level position. The exams are administered by the Society of Actuaries.

Related Job Titles

Actuarial Associate, Actuarial Consultant, Actuary, Consulting Actuary, Health Actuary, Pricing Actuary, Pricing Analyst, Product Development Actuary, Retirement Actuary

Typical Tasks

• Ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
• Design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.
• Determine, or help determine, company policy, and explain complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.
• Provide advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.
• Analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $76,669 to $95,456
• US Salary Range: $68,873 to $85,749

Common Industries:

• Insurance
• Healthcare, Biotech, and Community Services
• Government

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Supports the evaluation of business processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. They work in various industries, including finance, technology, healthcare, and consumer products.

Related Job Titles

Budget Coordinator, Budget Officer, Financial Services Officer, Policy Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Document findings of study and prepare recommendations for implementation of new systems, procedures, or organizational changes.
• Interview personnel and conduct on-site observation to ascertain unit functions, work performed, and methods, equipment, and personnel used.
• Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
• Plan study of work problems and procedures, such as organizational change, communications, information flow, integrated production methods, inventory control, or cost analysis.
• Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $63,135 to $95,364
• US Salary Range: $56,705 to $85,667

Common Industries:

• Management Consulting
• Government
• Finance
• Consumer Products
• Healthcare, Biotech, and Community Services
• Energy and Environment

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists in the development of a strong pipeline of new business opportunities through direct or indirect customer contact and prospecting. Identifies and helps to develop strategic relationships with partners or potential customers. Works with marketing, sales, and product development teams to implement business development initiatives. They typically work in real estate, securities, commodities and financial services, advertising, retail, and insurance industries.

Related Job Titles

Sales Representative, Business Development Associate, Account Representative

Typical Tasks

• Reach out to potential customers through outbound cold calls and emails.
• Foster customer interest in learning more about the company's products or services
• Meet key performance metrics and goals.
• Complete a thorough discovery to find customer interests and needs.
• Schedule appointments or pass leads to sales development representatives or account executives.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $55,587 to $93,472
• US Salary Range: $49,949 to $83,974

Common Industries:

• Consumer Products

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists in evaluating the creditworthiness of individuals or businesses by analyzing their financial history, credit reports, and other relevant data. They often work in banks, credit bureaus, or finance companies.

Related Job Titles

Credit Administrator, Credit Analyst, Credit Officer, Credit Representative, Credit Risk Analyst, Municipal Fixed Income Analyst, Collections Specialist, Loan Processor, Portfolio Manager

Typical Tasks

• Analyze credit data and financial statements to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money.
• Complete loan applications, including credit analyses and summaries of loan requests, and submit to loan committees for approval.
• Generate financial ratios, using computer programs, to evaluate customers' financial status.
• Prepare reports that include the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money.
• Analyze financial data, such as income growth, quality of management, and market share to determine expected profitability of loans.
• Compare liquidity, profitability, and credit histories of establishments being evaluated with those of similar establishments in the same industries and geographic locations.
• Contact customers to collect payments on delinquent accounts.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $50,089 to  $81,018
• US Salary Range: $56,788 to $72,779

Common Industries:

• Banking and Finance
• Insurance
• Consumer Products

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Supports the analysis and interpretation of large datasets to help organizations make data-driven decisions. They work in many industries. Sought after programming skills include Python, SQL, and other common programming languages. 

Related Job Titles

Business Analyst, Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
• Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.
• Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.
• Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.
• Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $83,009 to $103,761
• US Salary Range: $74,568 to $93,210

Common Industries:

• Technology
• Consumer Products
• Insurance
• Healthcare, Biotech, and Community Services
• Energy and Environment
• Management Consulting
• Economic Consulting
• Academia and Education

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Works with public and private organizations to promote economic growth and development within a specific region or community, often through job creation, business expansion, and infrastructure improvements. They handle the communications between their department and any other department that they may need to collaborate with. They coordinate action plans and activities to ensure that the departments are aligned. They are present during the planning stage for the program so that they will be familiar with action items. They are directly involved in the implementation by liaising with the involved departments.

Related Job Titles

Program Coordinator, Economic Development Specialist, Economic Development Associate, Project Coordinator, International Development Coordinator, Program Associate/Assistant, Program Specialist

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $50,807 to $63,527
• US Salary Range: $45,641 to $57,067

Common Industries:

• Non-profit, Public Policy, International Development, and Think Tanks
• Government & Multi-Lateral Agencies
• Economic Consulting

Job Description

Advises corporations and government organizations regarding the intersection of business, economics, and law. Examples include assessing the damages when a firm is accused of doing economic harm to another firm, forecasting current and/or future liabilities stemming from an environmental product liability, or determining whether price movements were consistent with an alleged manipulative scheme in a particular market.

Related Job Titles

Analyst, Associate Consultant, Data Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Review materials provided in discovery, depositions, news articles, industry reports, and economic literature to gain industry knowledge and identify relevant information like the structure of the industry
• Perform empirical analysis, often developing complex regression models to determine factors such as the impact of a proposed merger or price increases due to anticompetitive behavior
• Review the work of the other party in litigation, analyzing the validity of the opposing expert’s economic theory and analysis
• Prepare expert reports and supporting the expert during trial

Median Entry Level Salary

DC Area Salary Range: $66,000 to $108,000

Common Industries:

• Economics Consulting
• Government

Job Description

Assists in conducting economic research, analyzing data, and providing insights into economic trends and policies. They may work in government agencies, consulting firms, or financial institutions.

Related Job Titles

Economic Analyst, Economic Consultant, Economic Development Specialist, Forensic Economist, Research Analyst, Research Associate, Revenue Research Analyst

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $87,726 to $119,245
• US Salary Range: $78,805 to $107,119

Common Industries:

• Federal Government
• Economic Consulting
• Management Consulting
• Academia
• State Government
• Finance
• Energy and Environment

Job Description

Supports the development and implementation of financial plans for individuals or businesses, often focusing on investment strategies, retirement planning, and risk management. They typically work in financial planning firms or wealth management companies.

Related Job Titles

Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Planning Associate, Financial Consultant, Financial Counselor, Financial Planner, Investment Advisor, Portfolio Manager, Wealth Advisor, Wealth Management

Typical Tasks

• Interview clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan.
• Recommend to clients strategies in cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas to help them achieve their financial goals.
• Manage client portfolios, keeping client plans up-to-date.
• Implement financial planning recommendations or refer clients to someone who can assist them with plan implementation.
• Analyze financial information obtained from clients to determine strategies for meeting clients' financial objectives.
• Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
• Review clients' accounts and plans regularly to determine whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or financial performance indicate a need for plan reassessment.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $57,827 to $111,389
• US Salary Range: $51,947 to $100,062

Common Industries:

• Banking and Finance
• Insurance

Job Description

Supports the analysis of financial data, evaluating investment opportunities, and making recommendations to improve financial performance. They often work in banks, investment firms, or corporations.

Related Job Titles

Investment Strategist, Portfolio Manager, Quantitative Analyst, Quantitative Research Analyst, Quantitative Strategy Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Real Estate Analyst, Securities Analyst, Derivatives Analyst, Trust Officer

Typical Tasks

• Inform investment decisions by analyzing financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions.
• Prepare plans of action for investment, using financial analyses.
• Evaluate and compare the relative quality of various securities in a given industry.
• Recommend investments and investment timing to companies, investment firm staff, or the public.
• Present oral or written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations, and entire industries.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $65,867 to $79,960
• US Salary Range: $59,169 to $71,829

Common Industries:

• Banking and Finance
• Management Consulting
• Consumer Products
• Energy and Environment
• Insurance

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists with financial modeling, valuation, and analysis to support the execution of mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate finance transactions. They typically work in investment banks or financial advisory firms.

Related Job Titles

Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Securities Analyst, Private Equity Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Advise clients on aspects of capitalization, such as amounts, sources, or timing
• Analyze financial or operational performance of companies facing financial difficulties to identify or recommend remedies
• Assess companies as investments for clients by examining company facilities
• Collaborate on projects with other professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or public relations experts
• Collaborate with investment bankers to attract new corporate clients

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $63,217 to $121,770
• US Salary Range: $56,788 to $109,388

Common Industries:

• Banking and Finance
• Insurance
• Consumer Products

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Provides expert advice and guidance to individuals or organizations. They often work on a temporary basis to solve problems, improve performance, or provide expertise in a particular area. A consultant's responsibilities include project management, business development, and assessing clients' current bi architecture. They also involve implementing technology change adaption processes and leveraging emerging open-source technologies.

Related Job Titles

Analyst, Associate Consultant, Data Analyst

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $70,000 to $96,151
• US Salary Range: $58,000 to $67,000

Common Industries:

• Management Consulting

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists in collecting and analyzing data on consumer preferences, market trends, and competitor activities to help companies develop marketing strategies. They typically work in consumer products or other corporations.

Related Job Titles

Market Research Associate, Business Analyst, Marketing Analyst, Research Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text.
• Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
• Measure and assess customer and employee satisfaction.
• Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, focus groups, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data.
• Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising, and communications programs and strategies.
• Forecast and track marketing and sales trends, analyzing collected data.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $64,681 to $78,519
• US Salary Range: $58,104 to $70,535

Common Industries:

• Consumer Products
• Management Consulting
• Finance
• Energy and Environment
• Insurance

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists in analyzing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's operations, often focusing on supply chain management, logistics, or process optimization. They often work in various industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and technology.

Related Job Titles

Advanced Analytics Associate, Analytical Strategist, Decision Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Optimization Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
• Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.
• Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
• Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
• Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $66,136 to $86,681
• US Salary Range: $59,411 to $77,866

Common Industries:

• Management Consulting
• Government
• Finance
• Consumer Products
• Energy and Environment

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

If you are interested in becoming a lawyer, a paralegal is an entry-level position that can give you real-world experience while you prepare for law school. ECON majors generally do well on LSAT exams.

Job Description

A paralegal assists lawyers with various tasks such as research, drafting legal documents, and organizing case files. They play a crucial role in the legal system and help lawyers to provide quality services to clients. Paralegals may work in law firms, corporations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. They must have strong analytical skills and attention to detail although they do not provide legal advice or represent clients in court.

They handle different activities, usually administrative or clerical, such as organizing and maintaining files, updating records, and managing correspondences, among others. Paralegals also handle different activities directly related to active cases being worked on by lawyers in the firm or department. They assist lawyers on cases by preparing materials needed for trials, conducting legal research, verifying trial facts, helping during interviews, getting statements from those involved in the case, and creating presentation materials. 

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $58,212 to $92,850
• US Salary Range: $52,292 to $83,408

Job Description

Supports the analysis of public policies, programs, and regulations to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and impact. They often work in government agencies, think tanks, or nonprofit organizations.

Related Job Titles

Junior Policy Analyst, Legislative Policy Analyst, Research Analyst, Economic Policy Analyst, Policy Associate, Policy Research Associate

Typical Tasks

• Collect and analyze data from sources such as public opinion surveys
• Evaluate the effects of policies and laws on government, businesses, and people
• Monitor current events, policy decisions, and other related issues
• Forecast political, economic, and social trends

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $80,412 to $137,898
• US Salary Range: $72,238 to $123,877

Common Industries:

• Academia and Education
• Economic Consulting
• Energy and Environment
• Government & Multi-Lateral Agencies
• Non-profit, Public Policy, International Development, and Think Tanks

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Supports the analysis of pricing data and helps to develop pricing strategies to optimize revenue and profitability. They often work in retail, manufacturing, or service industries.

Related Job Titles

Competitive Pricing Analyst, Analyst, Business Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Data Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Study consumer spending, habits, and behaviors to gauge their willingness to pay for products 
• Conduct impact and mathematical analyses
• Develop revenue forecasts and statistical models
• Monitor industry trends
• Develop pricing tools that can quickly respond to the rapidly changing market trends and needs

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $68,744 to $93,218
• US Salary Range: $61,753 to $83,739

Common Industries:

• Management Consulting
• Finance
• Consumer Products
• Energy and Environment

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

A real estate analyst evaluates real estate investments to determine their potential for profit. They analyze property values, market trends, and economic factors to assist clients in making informed decisions about buying, selling, or developing real estate. These professionals use financial models and data analysis tools to assess the risks and benefits of various investment opportunities. They also prepare reports for clients. Real estate analysts work for banks, investment firms, and real estate development companies.

Related Job Titles

Real Estate Portfolio Analyst, Commercial Real Estate Analyst, Real Estate Acquisitions Analyst, Real Estate Investment Analyst, Real Estate Research Analyst, Real Estate Data Analyst

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $75,271 to $142,805
• US Salary Range: $67,610 to $128,286

Common Industries:

• Real Estate
• Banking and Finance
• Government & Multi-Lateral Agencies

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists with data collection, analysis, and report preparation in economic research projects. They often work in academic institutions, research organizations, or consulting firms. One must have programming experience in Python, R, or Stata to land a research assistant position. 

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $41,769 to $52,453
• US Salary Range: $37,522 to $47,119

Common Industries:

• Academia and Education
• Government & Multi-Lateral Agencies
• Non-profit, Public Policy, International Development, and Think Tanks
• Energy and Environment

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating potential risks that may affect an organization's financial performance, operations, or reputation. They often work in banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions.

Related Job Titles

Analyst, Equity Research Analyst, Financial Risk Analyst, Risk Manager, Risk Specialist, Securities Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Analyze areas of potential risk to the assets, earning capacity, or success of organizations.
• Analyze new legislation to determine impact on risk exposure.
• Conduct statistical analyses to quantify risk, using statistical analysis software or econometric models.
• Confer with traders to identify and communicate risks associated with specific trading strategies or positions.
• Consult financial literature to ensure use of the latest models or statistical techniques.
• Contribute to development of risk management systems.
• Determine potential environmental impacts of new products or processes on long-term growth and profitability.
• Develop contingency plans to deal with emergencies.

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $52,800 to $88,098
• US Salary Range: $47,431 to $54,124

Common Industries:

• Banking and Finance
• Insurance
• Economic Consulting
• Energy and Environment
• Government & Multi-Lateral Agencies
• Non-profit, Public Policy, International Development, and Think Tanks
• Consumer Products

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

A technology analyst is responsible for identifying business opportunities by creating and designing technology systems that would help business operations perform efficiently and accurately. Information technology analysts manage systems maintenance, upgrade and install updates for better optimization, and perform feature revisions and adjustments based on the end-user experience. They analyze client and business specifications and research a multiple system approach to generate technology solutions. A technology analyst must have excellent analytical skills, as well as broad knowledge of the technology industry. A double major, minor, or coursework in computer science is generally required.

Related Job Titles

Business Technology Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, IT Business Analyst, Technical Support Specialist, Business Analyst, Software Engineer, Program Analyst

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $71,543 to $94,350
• US Salary Range: $64,268 to $84,755

Common Industries:

• Technology
• Management Consulting
• Consumer Products
• Government & Multi-Lateral Agencies

Career Paths (Zippia.com)

Job Description

Assists in analyzing sales data, identifying trends and opportunities, and providing insights to improve sales performance and strategies. They often work in various industries, including retail, manufacturing, and technology.

Related Job Titles

Internal Sales Analyst, Sales Operations Analyst, Sales Operations Business Analyst, Sales and Marketing Analyst, Sales Support Analyst, Business Development Analyst

Typical Tasks

• Prepare complex financial statements
• Develop and provide market intelligence data solutions for the sales team to maximize territory sales efforts
• Maintain a business relationship with key account top management

Median Entry Level Salary

• DC Area Salary Range: $72,537 to $87,476
• US Salary Range: $65,161 to $78,581

Common Industries:

• Consumer Products
• Technology
• Insurance
• Healthcare, Biotech, and Community Services
• Finance

Career Paths (Zippia.com)