Careers by Major - Economics

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Economics graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that Economics graduates have gone on to.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Accountant*
  • Actuary*
  • Claims Adjuster/Examiner*
  • Commodity Analyst/Trader
  • Compensation/Benefits Coordinator
  • Credit Analyst
  • Insurance Agent/Broker*
  • Labour Relations Specialist
  • Market Research Analyst*
  • Media Buyer*
  • Purchasing Agent/Buyer*
  • Securities Broker
  • Stockbroker
  • Underwriter*
  • Agricultural Economist
  • Demographer
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Government Economist
  • Historical Researcher
  • Health Policy Planner
  • International Trade Specialist
  • Population Studies Analyst
  • Tax Economist
  • Transportation Planner
  • Bank Research Analyst
  • Business Credit/ Loan Administrator
  • Consumer Credit Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Researcher*
  • Investment Banking Analyst
  • Investment Counsellor*
  • Lobbyist*
  • Construction Estimator
  • Economist*
  • Editor*
  • Foreign Correspondent
  • Hospital Administrator*
  • Institutional Researcher
  • Journalist*
  • Lawyer*
  • Researcher*
  • Statistician*

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Who employs economics graduates?

  • agricultural companies
  • analysis / forecasting firms
  • banks / credit unions
  • computer / telecommunication companies
  • economic research institutions
  • environmental protection agencies
  • financial information firms
  • government departments
  • (all levels)
  • insurance companies
  • international trade companies
  • investment dealers
  • labour unions
  • manufacturing firms
  • management consulting firms
  • market research houses
  • newspapers
  • oil companies
  • real estate agencies
  • statistical research firms
  • stock exchanges
  • transportation companies
  • trust companies
  • utility companies

Skills developed by economics majors

Written/Oral Communication:

  • Ability to explain complex concepts and theories to others
  • High proficiency in written and oral communication
  • Writing clear, concise technical reports and essays

Information Gathering:

  • Finding, analyzing, and synthesizing material
  • Conducting and clearly explaining scientific research
  • Analyzing the multiple dimensions of a problem and selecting what is important
  • Understanding of the impact of factors such as productivity, interest rates, savings, private investment, government borrowing and taxation have on economic growth and well-being of companies, cities, nations, and the world

Critical thinking/Problem solving:

  • Defining economic problems by applying concepts of economic theory
  • Analyzing problems and organizing ways of thinking about problems to strategize options
  • Intellectual capacity/ability to learn and think critically

Research Methodology/Statistics:

  • Handling accurate details
  • Gathering economic data relevant to a research problem and in employing various data analysis research techniques such as statistical analysis and modeling
  • Strong background in economic theory and econometrics
  • Thorough knowledge of statistical procedures

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Research Assistant, Bank of Canada
  • Revenue Management Analyst, Purolator Courier
  • Investment Banking Analyst, Macquarie North America Ltd
  • Field Sales Representative, Black & Decker Canada, Inc
  • Economic Analyst, Deloitte & Touche
  • Management Trainee, Blinds To Go
  • Public Finance Analyst, Dominion Bond Rating Service
  • Initiative and Demand Planner, Procter and Gamble
  • Long Term Disability Claims Adjudicator, Manulife Financial
  • Road Claims Advisor Trainee, RBC Financial Group
  • Real Estate Analyst, Royal LePage Commercial Inc.
  • Circulation Analyst, Staples Business Depot
  • Coordinator for International Relations, Consulate General of Japan in Tokyo
  • Research Analyst, Durham Regional Police Service
  • Economist Development Program, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
  • Corporate Development Analyst, Weston Bakeries Ltd.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions

  • Research Analyst
  • Bentall Capital LP
  • Summer Intern
  • Dominion Bond Rating Service
  • Researcher-New Business
  • United Way of Peel Region
  • Summer Opportunity
  • Enterprise Toronto
  • Intern Analyst
  • Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Part-Time Positions

  • Actuarial Intern
  • Mellon Financial Corporation
  • Instructor
  • Excram Study Solutions Ltd.
  • Real Estate Analysts
  • N. Barry Lyon Consultants Ltd.
  • Writer
  • Sieoma Communications
  • Credit Risk Analyst
  • HSBC Financial

Work Study - previous postings have included:

  • Research Assistant
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  • Data Compiler
  • UT Centre for Industrial Relations
  • Publications Assistant
  • Centre for Renaissance studies
  • Information Resources Support Staff
  • Centre for Urban/Community Studies
  • Financial Market Regularities Researcher
  • UTM Department of Management
  • Assistant
  • Munk Centre for International Relations
  • Direct Marketing Assistant
  • UT Division of University Advancement

Volunteer

Volunteer experience counts too! Whether you're volunteering on campus, coaching a sports team, donating your time with a local charity or helping run a student club on campus, you'll be developing and demonstrating skills all employers want.

  • Student Intern/Assistant
  • Report on Business Television
  • Researcher
  • Canadian Urban Institute
  • NAFTA Intern
  • Washington Centre
  • Researcher
  • Consumer’s Association of Canada

Extern Job Shadowing Program - previous placements:

  • Global Trader, Scotia Capital
  • Branch Manager, Floor Trader, Swift Trade Securities
  • Manager, Discount Brokerage, TD Waterhouse

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at U of T Mississauga

ROP allows students in their second year (i.e. who have completed at least 4 credits but not more than 9) to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Learn more on the ROP web site.

Join an association or club

The Undergraduate Economics Council at Erindale offers some information to Economics undergrads, including a chance to meet with professors outside of class. The UEC also arranges for economics graduates and public lecturers to come to UTM to share their knowledge and experiences with UTM students.

Professional Associations:

The Canadian Economics Association offers some resources for students and links to more specialized associations and economics departments

The EDIRC (Economics Departments, Institutes and Research Centres) website has a highly comprehensive list of economic associations across the World. Click here to access the Canadian section of the site (From the University of Connecticut).

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Internships

A number of organizations across the Greater Toronto Area offer internships or summer positions to graduates in Economics. Below are some suggestions, but there are many others:

  • Credit Union Central of Ontario
  • TD Canada Trust
  • Rogers
  • Royal and Sun Alliance
  • Toronto Hydro
  • City of Toronto
  • ECE INA Insurance
  • BDO Dunwoody
  • Canadian Depository for Securities
  • CIBC
  • CTV
  • Dominion of Canada
  • General Insurance
  • Government of Ontario
  • TSX Group

NOTE: Many organizations do not advertise their internships on their website, or only do so at certain times of the year. If you are uncertain, it may be best to contact the organization and make a direct inquiry.

Also, check the U of T Internship Directory Database for additional on-campus internship listings. You must register and login to the Career Centre Online to access this database.

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Great Jobs for Business Majors
  • Career Options for Students in Economics
  • Careers for Financial Mavens
  • Careers for Number Crunchers
  • Careers for Perfectionists
  • Careers for Persuasive Types
  • Careers in Marketing
  • Job Choices for Business and Liberal Arts Students
  • What Can You Do with a Degree in Economics

Library Panel Packages:

Directories

  • Big Source 2006
  • Financial Services Canada 2003
  • Ontario Insurance Directory 2004

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).