Skip to main content
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Illinois State University Home
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About
Major

Careers

Economics - General Economics

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Majors
  4. Economics - General Economics
  5. Careers

Related Skills

  • Critical thinker
  • Good math and computer skills
  • Ability to prepare reports
  • Strong oral and communication skills
  • Flexible and adaptive to new ideas
  • Logical thinker
  • Ability to research and explain market phenomena
  • Ability to collect data
  • Ability to make sound predictions
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Careers
  • Course Requirements (Catalog)
  • Plans of Study and Transfer Checklists

Contact

Career Industry Liaison

Mark Fauble
(309) 438-2200
208 Bone Student Center

Internship Coordinator

Susan Chen
(309) 438-3616
Stevenson Hall 426E

Being Successful in the Field

  • Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, or internship experience to enhance career path. For example, complete a finance-related internship if interested in a career in banking.
  • Earn a graduate degree in economics, business, or other related fields for increased marketability.
  • Choose a career focus and structure curricular and extra-curricular activities to achieve goals.
  • Do informational interviewing with professionals to learn more about fields of interest.

Related Fields

Government

  • Cost Analysis
  • Intelligence
  • Foreign Trade Analysis
  • Public Administration
  • Transportation Management
  • Urban Planning

Employers

Government departments involved in agriculture, business, finance, labor, transportation, urban economics, and international trade including: USDA, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the United Nations, and the General Accounting Office

Strategies

  • Become active in student government.
  • Complete an internship in a government agency.
  • Earn a graduate degree in economics, statistics, public administration,or related field for promotion and advancement.
  • Become familiar with government hiring practices.
  • Develop excellent computer, analytical, and quantitative skills.

Economic Market Research

  • Research Analysis
  • Consulting

Employers

  • Market research firms
  • Consumer goods manufacturing firms
  • Business firms
  • Consulting firms

Strategies

  • Supplement curriculum with courses in business, political science, research design, survey design, statistics, and computer science.
  • Earn a graduate degree to obtain advanced research and consulting positions.
  • Obtain experience in business research.
  • Become a student member in related professional associations.
  • Get involved in student or community organizations to develop leadership skills.

Banking & Finance

  • Credit Lending
  • Operations
  • Systems
  • Trusts
  • Securities: Sales, Research

Employers

  • Commercial banks
  • Regional banks
  • Savings and loan associations
  • National and regional brokerage firms
  • Discount brokerage houses

Strategies

  • Develop a solid background in business including finance, marketing, and accounting.
  • Gain experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in financial service firms.
  • Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
  • Become the financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization.
  • Get involved with an investments club.
  • Earn an MBA for positions in investment banking.

Insurance

  • Underwriting
  • Sales
  • Operations
  • Claims

Employers

Insurance firms

Strategies

  • Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Earn a business minor.
  • Gain sales experience.
  • Participate in campus organizations.

Healthcare

  • Hospital Management
  • Healthcare Analysis

Employers

  • Private (LLC) corporations
  • US Department of Health
  • Hospitals
  • Health Maintenance Organizations

Strategies

Earn a master's degree in public health or hospital administration. Gain experience in healthcare through internships.

Other Business Areas

  • Management
  • Buying and Purchasing
  • Human Resources
  • Hospitality
  • Sales

Employers

  • Department, grocery, drug, specialty, and variety store chains
  • Hotels, resorts, and tourism councils
  • Restaurants
  • Large corporations

Strategies

  • Gain related business experience through internships or jobs.
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm and flexibility.
  • Secure leadership positions in campus organizations.
  • Earn a business minor. Obtain sales experience.

Teaching

Employers

  • Colleges and universities
  • Secondary public and private schools

Strategies

  • Earn a Ph.D to teach in post-secondary institutions.
  • Gain research experienceby assisting a professor.
  • Obtain certification for public school positions.
  • Get experience working with young people.
  • Develop strong public speaking skills.

Other Professions

  • Bank Officer
  • Bookkeeper
  • Budget Coordinator
  • Business Forecaster
  • Business Manager
  • Buyer
  • City Manager
  • Consultant
  • Cost Analyst
  • Credit and Loan worker
  • Demographer
  • Economist
  • Entrepreneur
  • Estate Planner
  • Insurance Sales
  • Insurance Underwriter
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Litigation Analyst
  • Loan Officer
  • Market Researcher
  • Politician
  • Public Utilities Manager
  • Research Analyst
  • Retail Sales Manager
  • Securities Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Trust Officer

Not what you're looking for?

Keyboard users, when results are available, use the up and down arrow keys to navigate and enter to select.
 

Commonly Used Links

Illinois State

  • Milner Library
  • Technology Support Center
  • Maps and Directions
  • Search/A-Z
  • Academic Calendar
  • Safety and Security

Students

  • My.IllinoisState.edu
  • Student Jobs
  • Catalog
  • ReggieNet
  • Veterans and Military Services
  • Download ISU Mobile App

Alumni

  • Alumni Association
  • Redbird Gear
  • Events
  • Magazine
  • Traditions

Faculty and Staff

  • Work at Illinois State
  • iPeople
  • Email and Office 365
  • Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology
  • Shared Governance and Administration

© 2021 Illinois State University, Normal, IL USA | Contact Us

Privacy Statement | Cookie Statement | Identity Standards | Appropriate Use Policy | IBHE Online Complaint System | ISU Complaint Resolution | Accessibility | CARES Act Reporting

  • I. S. U. Facebook
  • I. S. U. Twitter
  • I. S. U. Instagram
  • I. S. U. Youtube
  • I. S. U. LinkedIn
Closing menu Closing Menu
  • Close Menu
  • My
  • Contact
  • A to Z
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About Us
  • Apply
  • Visit

Getting Started

  • Incoming Freshman
  • Transfer Students
  • Graduate Students
  • International Students
  • Out of State Students
  • Military Veterans
  • Returning to ISU
  • Homeschooled Students

Non-traditional

  • En Español
  • Undocumented Students
  • Visiting Students
  • Second Bachelor's Degree
  • Parents and Families
  • Academics Overview
  • Academic Support
  • Majors
  • Minors
  • Graduate Programs
  • Pre-Professional
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Research Overview
  • Milner Library
  • Redbird Scholar
  • Student Life Overview
  • Housing
  • Dining
  • Student Organizations
  • Athletics Overview
  • GoRedbirds.com
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Administration
  • Our Community
  • Metrics of Excellence
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Traditions
  • Facility and Space Use
  • Learn How to Apply
  • What You Need Before You Apply
  • Deadlines
  • Fee and Waiver
  • Check Your Application Status
  • Disciplinary and Criminal Activity Disclosures
  • International Application Information
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Department Meetings
  • Driving Directions
  • Open House
  • Group Visits

University Resources

  • My Illinois State
  • Map
  • News
  • Events
  • Giving
Closing menu Closing Menu