Business Economics | Career Centre

Have you always been fascinated by business, management, entrepreneurship and the economics of building, sustaining and growing an enterprise? Do you have a love for economics and the macro and micro economic theories behind day-to-day interactions and transactions in business and finance? If so, majoring in Business Economics at York can be a fantastic stepping-stone to a variety of careers and professional paths. Whether as preparation for an immediate career or an eventual MBA, majoring in Business Economics will expose you to important issues in contemporary global business, will put you at the crossroads of business management and economic theory, and will give you the analytical tools to tackle important challenges faced by today’s business leaders.

Career Options in Business Economics

Below is a sample list of some future choices to explore following studies in Business Economics. This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what fellow graduates have gone on to do and what potential careers a Business Economics degree can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of Business Economics than others.

Accountant
Author
Banker
Blogger
Brand Strategist
Business Ethics Consultant
Business Media Correspondent
Business Planner
Commodity Trader
Corporate Consultant
Corporate Manager
Economist
Entrepreneur
Executive Assistant
Financial Advisor
Financial Analyst
Fund Manager
Government Worker

Industry Analyst
Lawyer
Logistics Specialist
Magazine Contributor
Marketing Director
Market Researcher
Political Advisor
Portfolio Manager
Professor
Project Manager
Public Policy Analyst
Public Relations Representative
Recruiter
Retail Strategist
Risk Analyst
Stock Analyst
Trader
Venture Capitalist

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through a Business Economics Degree

A background in Business Economics ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills a Business Economics degree can help you develop:

Core Skills

Well-developed understanding of contemporary business management techniques and effective and practical business strategies
Strong analytical skills and a familiarity with statistical methods used in today’s business milieu and the ability to apply them to real world challenges
In depth knowledge of economic theory and its application to business analysis
Exposure to associated fields such as finance and concepts relevant to contemporary business

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work

Management and Teamwork

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field. The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of Business Economics that you may want to visit as you research career options for Business Economics graduates.