There are many benefits to a career in economics and it is easy to see why so many people embark on a career in this field. This is incredibly important, interesting and valuable work, which means that it can be rewarding (and lucrative). But economics is also not an easy area to work in and it is important that you are aware of a few tips for getting started in this field. Hopefully, these tips will help you to kick-start a career in economics and enjoy the many benefits that this field of work can bring to your life.
Choose The Right Program
One of the most important steps when looking to start a career in economics is choosing the right program. You will want to find a highly regarded program that prepares you for a career in economics and covers all the key areas, including econometrics. What is econometrics? This is a subset of economics that applies statistics and mathematical techniques to justify a theoretical economic model. With the right program, you will develop the skills and knowledge required to find success in this field.
Gain As Much Relevant Experience As Possible
It can be hard to get your foot in the door when it comes to economics, which is why you need to gain as much relevant experience as you can when getting started. Internships are the best way to do this, but these can be highly competitive and you may have to opt for an unpaid one. Ultimately, this will be worth it as it can bolster your resume, help you to gain important skills and allow you to start building a professional network.
Build A Professional Network
Following this point, this is very much a field where having a large professional network is vital for career success. This is why you need to make the effort early on by attending industry events, networking online and getting to know anyone with relevant experience. Having a large professional network could open new doors, introduce you to the right people and help you to develop a positive reputation for yourself.
Stay Current
It is obviously essential that you have a respected qualification to bolster your resume, but you also need to understand that economics is always changing and developing. This is why you need to stay current when it comes to trends, changes and academic literature. You will want to make time to read the best journal publications, listen to podcasts, read blogs and engage with other economists to stay current and well informed.
Write
Writing is an incredibly important skill to have as an economist and you will find it hard to succeed if you are not a confident writer. This is why you need to practice as much as you can and to work at improving your abilities – you could even take a writing course to sharpen your skills.
Working in economics can be fascinating and incredibly rewarding, but it is also a challenging field and hopefully these tips will help you to find career success.
