Economics

Economics is the social science that provides understanding, meaning and relevance of human action under conditions of scarcity. In other words, the study of economics enables a more effective use of scarce resources such as the time and talent people have available, the land, buildings, equipment, other tools on hand, and the knowledge of how to combine them to create products and services to satisfy human wants.

Economists develop policies to address some of the world's toughest problems, like chronic poverty, poor sanitation, literacy and education, racial and gender equality, feeding populations and defining legal rights. Economists also understand where to draw the line between the roles of government and the private sector in the economy. Studying Economics teaches you how to think critically and analytically. Students develop the skills needed to be able to look at real-world social, economic and political problems and find positive solutions using economic principles.

Program Planning Guides

Skills

Analyze & Interpret Data
Analyze Consumer Needs & Wants
Appreciation & Awareness of Cultural Diversity
Computer Literacy
Develop & Maintain Customer Relationships
Influence, Persuade & Negotiate
Leadership

Motivate & Direct Others
Oral & Written Communication
Planning & Budgeting
Present Ideas & Data Clearly & Effectively
Problem Solving
Research
Concise Technical Reporting
Create & Evaluate Reports/Statements
Data Analysis Techniques

Decision Making Ability
Define Problems
Express Complex Ideas
Interest in Current Affairs
Logical Analysis
Manipulate Numerical Data
Negotiation
Public Speaking
Relate Theory to Practice
Self-Motivated
Time Management
Work Well Under Pressure

Work Environment

A degree in Economics prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities, such as careers in marketing, real estate, consulting, business, finance, administration, government, agriculture, health sciences, natural resources, manufacturing, trades and transport, and academic/research institutions.

Key Areas of Specialization:

Finance
Foreign Trade
Government
Business Management
Banking and Financial Services
Trade and Development
Budget Consulting
Strategic Planning
Economic Geography
Financial Aid Counseling
Taxation
Insurance Management

Career Possibilities

Entry Level

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.

Assistant Development Executive
Business & Industry Liaison
Business Analyst Intern
Business Development Representative
Communications Advisor/ Coordinator
International Business Development Officer
Assistant Actuarial Analyst
Associate Agricultural Economist
Bank Operations/Process Specialist
Economic Research Intern
Entry-Level Analytics Associate
Entry-level Financial Planner
Investment Services Assistant
Junior Advisor/Assistant Advisor
Management Trainee
Pricing Data Analyst
Program Assistant
Project Analyst Intern
Real Estate Researcher
Sales & Marketing Database Analyst
Sales Agent
Statistical Clerk

Related Job Titles

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

Account Manager
Customer Service Representative
Forecast Analyst/Demand Planner
Foreign Services Officer
General Manager
Government Administrator
Grants Administrator
International Trade Officer
Management Consultant
Market Research Analyst
Materials Manager/ Logistics Coordinator
Mediator
Non-Profit Administrator
Officer Placement Consultant
Operations Researcher/ Manager
Personnel Recruiter
Policy Advisor
Project Manager
Risk Manager
Small Business Owner
Strategy Planner
Training Specialist
University Professor
Agricultural Economist
Business Economist
Cost Determinations Economist
Development Economist
Econometrician
Economic Advisor
Economic Analyst
Economic Business Analyst
Economic Consultant
Economic Consumer Advisor
Economic Planning Analyst
Economic Policy Adviser/ Analyst
Economic Policy Researcher
Economic Research Group Supervisor
Economist
Energy Economist
Environmental Economist
Farm Economist
Financial Economist
Financial Market Economist
Fiscal Economic Analyst
Forecasting Analyst
Forest Economist
Forest Resources Economist
Health Economist
Human Resources Economist
Industrial Economist
Industrial Organization Economist
Industrial Relations Economist
Industrial Trade Economist
International Economist
International Trade Economist
Investment Economist
Labour Economist
Labour Market Information Analyst
Land Use Economist
Macroeconomist/ Monetary Economist
Mathematical Economist
Natural Resources Economist
Price Economist
Professor of Economics
Public Finance Economist
Regional Economist
Resource Economist
Risk Management Analyst
Salary Analyst
Social Economist
Tax Economist
Territorial Resources Economist
Trade Analyst
Trade Economist
Transport Economist
Wage analyst
Economic Police
Welfare Economist

Thinking Outside the Box: Other Possible Job Titles

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

Useful Resources

Canadian Management Centre http://cmcoutperform.com
Project Management Association of Canada http://pmac-agpc.ca
Canadian Federation of Independent Business http://www.cfib-fcei.ca/
Certified Management Consultant – Canada http://www.cmc-canada.ca/
Economic Developers Association of Canada http://edac.ca
International Association for Business & Society http://www.iabs.net
The Federation of International Trade Associations http://www.fita.org
Canadian Economics Association http://economics.ca
Canadian Association for Business Economics http://www.cabe.ca
Economic Developers Association of Canada http://www.edac.ca
Economic Developers Alberta http://www.edaalberta.ca/
International Economic Society http://www.econ-society.org/
The Economist http://www.economist.com
American Economics Association http://www.aeaweb.org/
International Economic Development Council http://www.iedconline.org/
National Association for Business Economics http://www.nabe.com

Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Connect with Others

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

Applied Studies

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Student Clubs and Leadership

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

Research Opportunities

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International Experience

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Community Involvement

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.

What can I do with a major in Economics