Economics B.A. and B.S. degree graduates can apply their skills and knowledge across a wide range of industries. Here are common industries where economics graduates might find employment opportunities: These are just some of the many industries where economics graduates can apply their skills. The versatility of an economics degree allows graduates to find opportunities in diverse sectors and roles.
 

Some economics graduates may choose to work in educational institutions as teachers, researchers, or administrators, or pursue further education, such as a Ph.D. in economics or a related field.

Potential Job Titles

PhD Candidate, Research Assistant

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • National Science Foundation
  • Columbia Business School
  • Federal Reserve
  • Brookings Institution
  • Congressional Research Service
  • Pew Research Center

There are a small number of Masters programs that prepare students for a PhD in Economics:

  • Duke University
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Wisconsin

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Investment Company Institute
  • Center for a New American Security
  • Westat
  • Keybridge
  • FDIC

Recommended Courses and/or Skills

Programming skills are a necessity if you want to work as a research assistant and if you plan to get a PhD in Economics. Consider the following courses:

  • CMSC131 - Object-Oriented Programming I
  • BSOS233 - Data Science for the Social Sciences
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming 
  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON432 - Applied Machine Learning
  • ECON433 - Economics of Big Data

You'll also need a solid math background to advance in conducting research. To apply for a PhD in Economics, you will need:

  • Calculus 1, 2, and 3 (MATH140, 141, and 241)
  • MATH240 - Linear Algebra
  • MATH410 - Real Analysis
  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics

This includes commercial banks, investment banks, asset management firms, private equity firms, and venture capital firms, among others.

Potential Job Titles

Investment Banking Analyst, Financial Analyst, Junior Portfolio Analyst

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • J.P. Morgan
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Bank of America
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Citigroup

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Morgan Stanley
  • M&T Bank
  • Capital One
  • T. Rowe Price
  • Merrill Edge
  • Freddie Mac
  • Sodexo
  • Greystone
  • CIT
  • Mastercard
  • Wells Fargo
  • SEI
  • Evermay Wealth Management

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

Recommended Courses and/or Skills

Courses:

  • BMGT340 - Business Finance* 
  • BMGT343 - Investments*
  • ECON330 - Money and Banking
  • ECON402 - Macroeconomic Models and Forecasting
  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics
  • ECON433 - Economics of Big Data
  • ECON435 - Financial Markets
  • ECON442 - Globalization and Capital Markets

*Note that these courses are open to BMGT majors only during regular registration. Non-majors may register for these courses during the summer term or during the regular semester if there are open seats on the 2nd day of classes. Go on the holdfile to increase your chances of getting a seat in these course. Schedule an appointment with an ECON advisor to find out more about holdfiles.
 

Skills:

You must be proficient with Microsoft Excel. Many employers will administer an Excel keyboard shortcuts test to potential applicants. If you need more practice, check out one of the 150+ LinkedIn Learning courses on Excel.

Graduates in economics can work in the consumer products sector, where they may be responsible for market research, pricing analysis, financial analysis, or product management. They may analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor pricing to inform product development and pricing strategies. They may also use economic principles to analyze financial data and provide advice to senior management.

Potential Job Titles

Market Research Analyst, Pricing Analyst, Financial Analyst, Sales Analyst, Business Development Representative

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • Proctor & Gamble
  • Unilever
  • Coca-Cola
  • PepsiCo
  • L'Oréal
  • Nestle
  • Estée Lauder

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Simon & Schuster
  • Tesla
  • Total Wine & More
  • United Airlines
  • Fitzgerald Automall
  • Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
  • LensCrafters
  • Macy's, Inc.
  • Marriott International
  • Verizon

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

Recommended Courses and/or Skills

Courses:

  • BMGT340 - Business Finance* 
  • ECON330 - Money and Banking
  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON402 - Macroeconomic Models and Forecasting
  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics
  • ECON433 - Economics of Big Data
  • ECON435 - Financial Markets
  • ECON442 - Globalization and Capital Markets

*Note that this course is open to BMGT majors only during regular registration. Non-majors may register for this course during the summer term or during the regular semester if there are open seats on the 2nd day of classes. Go on the holdfile to increase your chances of getting a seat in this course. Schedule an appointment with an ECON advisor to find out more about holdfiles.

Skills:
You should be proficient with Microsoft Excel. Some employers will administer an Excel keyboard shortcuts test to potential applicants. If you need more practice, check out one of the 150+ LinkedIn Learning courses on Excel.
 

Consulting firms specialize in providing management and economic analysis, advice, and expert testimony to businesses, governments, and other organizations to help them make strategic decisions or navigate regulatory, antitrust, and litigation matters.

Potential Job Titles

Economics Consultant, Management Consultant Research Analyst, Junior Economic Consultant, Econometric Analyst

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • Boston Consulting Group
  • KPMG
  • McKinsey & Company
  • Charles River Associates
  • PwC
  • Accenture

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Deloitte
  • Guidehous
  • Secretariat Economists
  • NERA Economic Consulting
  • Analysis Group
  • Bates White Economic Consulting
  • Cornerstone Research
  • EY

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

Recommended Courses and/or Skills

Courses:

Econometrics and programming skills will set you apart from other applicants. You must complete ECON422/424 - Econometrics. Try to take one of the following programming courses:

  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON432 - Applied Machine Learning
  • ECON433 - Economics of Big Data
  • CMSC131 - Object-Oriented Programming I
  • BSOS233 - Data Science for the Social Sciences
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming


Other useful courses:

  • ECON327 - Behavioral Economics
  • ECON330 - Money and Banking
  • ECON401 - Current Issues in American Economic Policy
  • ECON402 - Macroeconomic Models and Forecasting
  • ECON406 - Advanced Microeconomic Analysis
  • ECON407 - Advanced Macroeconomics Analysis
  • ECON414 - Game Theory
  • ECON416 - Theory of Economic Development
  • ECON417 - Estimating Policy and Program Impact
  • ECON426 - Economics of Cost Benefit Analysis
  • ECON427 - Experimental Economics
  • ECON434 - Economics of Information and Uncertainty
  • ECON442 - Globalization and Capital Markets
  • ECON454 - Public Finance and Public Policy
  • ECON456 - Law and Economics
  • ECON460/461 - Industrial Organization/Economics of Regulation & Antitrust Policy
  • CMSC131 - Object-Oriented Programming I
  • BSOS233 - Data Science for the Social Sciences
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming 

 

Economists are employed in the energy sector--including oil and gas companies, utilities, and renewable energy firms--to analyze market trends, forecast demand, and inform pricing strategies.
 

Potential Job Titles

Energy Analyst, Junior Energy Economist, Market Analyst

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • ExxonMobil
  • Shell
  • General Electric
  • Chevron
  • BP

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Constellation Energy
  • Last Energy
  • CleanChoice Energy
  • Edison Energy
  • Clean Energy USA
  • Gulf Oil
  • Exelon
  • Smart Electric Power Alliance
  • AEG Fuels

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

  • Vendor Reconciliation Analyst, AEG Fuels
  • Sustainability and Impact Intern, Someone Somewhere FDM, LLC

Recommended Courses and/or Skills

Courses:

  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics
  • ECON426 - Economics of Cost Benefit Analysis
  • ECON453 - Natural Resources and Public Policy
  • ECON454 - Public Finance and Public Policy
  • ECON456 - Law and Economics
  • ECON481 - Environmental Economics
  • ECON484 - The Economics of Climate Change
  • ECON485 - Economics of Land Use (Urban Economics) 
  • ECON486 - Energy and Environmental Economics

 

Skills:
You should be proficient with Microsoft Excel. Some employers will administer an Excel keyboard shortcuts test to potential applicants. If you need more practice, check out one of the 150+ LinkedIn Learning courses on Excel.

Economics graduates may work for local, state, or federal government agencies, as well as for international organizations, like the United Nations or the World Bank, in roles related to policy analysis and development.

Potential Job Titles

Policy Analyst, Research Assistant, Economic Assistant

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • U.S. Department of the Treasury
  • International Monetary Fund
  • World Bank
  • United Nations
  • Federal Reserve System
  • U.S. Department of Labor

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • Federal Reserve Board
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
  • Maryland Public Service Commission

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

  • Digital Team Intern, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Departmental Offices
  • Student Trainee, USDA-RD
  • DIME Intern, World Bank
  • FDA Economics Internship, USFDA
  • Artificial Intelligence Research Associate, Department of State/ U.S. Embassy Singapore
  • Student Trainee Pathways Intern (Business and Industry, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
  • CASE Business and Analytic Intern, General Service Administration
  • Program Resource Analyst/Budget Analyst, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
  • Economics Staff Intern, FDA - Office of Economics & Analysis

Recommended Courses

Courses:

  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON401 - Current Issues in American Economic Policy
  • ECON402 - Macroeconomic Models and Forecasting
  • ECON407 - Advanced Macroeconomics Analysis
  • ECON417 - Estimating Policy and Program Impact
  • ECON418 - Economic Development of Selected Areas
  • ECON443 - International Trade and Trade Policy
  • ECON451 - Public Choice
  • ECON453 - Natural Resources and Public Policy
  • ECON454 - Public Finance and Public Policy
  • ECON456 - Law and Economics
  • ECON460/461 - Industrial Organization/Economics of Regulation & Antitrust Policy
  • ECON465 - Health Economics
  • ECON470/471 - Labor Economics
  • ECON481 - Environmental Economics
  • ECON484 - The Economics of Climate Change
  • ECON485 - Economics of Land Use (Urban Economics)

Economics graduates can work for hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, and other organizations within the healthcare sector, focusing on areas such as health economics, policy analysis, and data analysis.

Potential Job Titles

Health Economist, Health Policy Analyst, Healthcare Data Analyst

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • Pfizer
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • AstraZeneca
  • Gilead Sciences

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • American Cancer Society
  • Children's National Hospital
  • PRN Healthcare
  • Envision Healthcare
  • VHC Health
  • Advanced Surgery Center
  • UnitedHealth Group
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • University of Maryland Medical System
  • Wunderman Thompson Health
  • Aledade Inc
  • GSK
  • Deepcell
  • Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx)

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

 

  • Financial Analyst, National Institute of Health, Cational Cancer Institute
  • Financial/ECON Research Intern National Bone and Joint Institute & DC HUX
  • Business Administration and Accounting Intern, Service Access and Management (SAM), Inc.
  • Student Business Intern, Adventist Healthcare
  • Marketing Intern, Hememics Biotechnologies, Inc.

 

Recommended Courses

Courses:

  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics
  • ECON432 - Applied Machine Learning
  • ECON433 - Economics of Big Data
  • ECON434 - Economics of Information and Uncertainty
  • ECON454 - Public Finance and Public Policy
  • ECON465 - Health Economics
  • CMSC131 - Object-Oriented Programming I
  • BSOS233 - Data Science for the Social Sciences
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming 

Insurance companies and brokers need economists to assess risk, develop pricing models, and analyze data to improve business outcomes.

Potential Job Titles

Actuarial Analyst, Junior Risk Analyst, Underwriting Assistant

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • Aetna
  • State Farm
  • Allstate
  • Prudential Financial
  • MetLife

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • GEICO
  • Medical Mutual Liability Insurance
  • Gallagher
  • Lemonade
  • Metromile
  • HealthPlanOne
  • AIG
  • State Farm
  • Chubb
  • Everest Insurance
  • Agency Insurance Company of Maryland (AIC)

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

 

  • Competitive Intelligence Intern, GEICO
  • Property and Casualty Risk Analysis and Placement, Associated Insurance Management LLC
  • Personal Economics Factor Intern, State Farm Insurance
  • Executive Sales Intern, Assured Partners

Recommended Courses

Courses:

 

  • ECON327 - Behavioral Economics
  • ECON414 - Game Theory
  • ECON434 - Economics of Information and Uncertainty
  • ECON454 - Public Finance and Public Policy
  • ECON465 - Health Economics

 

Non-profit organizations, research institutes, and think tanks often employ economics graduates to research and analyze various policy and social issues.

Potential Job Titles

Research Assistant, Policy Analyst, Program Assistant

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • The Brookings Institution
  • The Heritage Foundation
  • The Urban Institute
  • RAND Corporation
  • Center for American Progress

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Bipartisan Policy Center
  • C4ADS
  • Enterprise Community Partners
  • Youngnificent
  • Chesapeake Bay Foundation
  • Environmental Defense Fund
  • Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF)
  • American Seniors Housing Association

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

  • Immigration Policy Intern, Bipartisan Policy Center

Recommended Courses

Courses:

 

  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON401 - Current Issues in American Economic Policy
  • ECON417 - Estimating Policy and Program Impact
  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics
  • ECON454 - Public Finance and Public Policy
  • ECON470/471 - Labor Economics
  • CMSC131 - Object-Oriented Programming I
  • BSOS233 - Data Science for the Social Sciences
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming 

 

Real estate developers, property management companies, and appraisal firms hire economists to analyze property markets, forecast trends, and evaluate investment opportunities.

Potential Job Titles

Real Estate Analyst, Junior Property Manager, Appraisal Assistant

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • CBRE Group
  • JLL
  • Cushman & Wakefield
  • Colliers International
  • Hines

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Greysteel
  • Matter Real Estate
  • UIP
  • Sentinel Real Estate
  • Jamestown
  • O'Brien Realty
  • MRP Realty
  • Culdesac
  • Broad Reach Retail Partners
  • Flyhomes
  • Homesnap
  • ColumbiaNational Real Estate Finance
  • M&T Realty Capital Corporation
  • St. John Properties
  • Grandbridge Real Estate Capital

Recommended Courses and/or Skills

  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • GEOG170 - Mapping our Digital World
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming 
  • GEOG373 - Geographic Information Systems

Past Internships: 

Many sports teams and organizations hire analysts to track and analyze data related to athlete performance, team statistics, and market trends. A sports economist may also analyze various aspects of the sports industry, such as pricing strategies, the impact of sports on local economies, and the role of sports in society. 

Potential Job Titles

Sports Data Analyst, Sports Economist, Sports Marketing Analyst, Sports Operations Analyst

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • Sports organizations (ESPN, NFL, NBA)
  • Sport teams (Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Lakers)

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Sports Info Solutions
  • Xclusive Sports Management
  • DraftKings
  • Mike Farrell Sport

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

  • Finance Intern, Majestic Sports Brands

Recommended Courses

 

  • Programming skills are incredibly useful for analyst positions. Consider the following courses:
  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics
  • ECON432 - Applied Machine Learning
  • ECON433 - Economics of Big Data
  • CMSC131 - Object-Oriented Programming I
  • BSOS233 - Data Science for the Social Sciences
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming 

 

Tech companies, such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon, increasingly hire economics graduates for roles in data analysis, product management, and market research.

Potential Job Titles

Data Analyst, Junior Product Manager, Market Research Analys

Well-Known Organizations in this Industry

  • Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Ube

Other Organizations Hiring Recent UMD ECON Students

  • Amazon, Google, IBM, Oracle, Capgemini, Riskonnect, Inovalon, Arcadia, Dusseau and Company, Square, Instacart, Goldin, TEKsystems, Carta, StartEngine, DraftKings Inc., Dell  Technologies

Recent Internships Held by UMD ECON Majors: 

  • Business Analyst Intern, MetroStar Systems
  • Partner Alliances - Sales, Blue Yonder
  • Data Research Associate, Strategic Technology Institute Inc.
  • Summer Internship, Alpha Technologies 
  • Project Coordinator, Intelect Corporation 

Recommended Courses

  • Programming skills are incredibly useful for analyst positions. Consider the following courses:
  • ECON354 - Using Big Data to Solve Social and Economic Problems
  • ECON422/424 - Econometrics
  • ECON432 - Applied Machine Learning
  • ECON433 - Economics of Big Data
  • CMSC131 - Object-Oriented Programming I
  • BSOS233 - Data Science for the Social Sciences
  • GEOG276 - Principles of Python Programming