| Careers In Business Economics |
| The Society does not operate a careers advisory service as such, but the following general advice may prove helpful to students interested in economics as a career. |
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| What Business Economists do |
Business Economists are advisers.
They advise Government and government-related bodies, Industry, Businesses, Commercial Institutions or Investors.
They research, analyse and interpret information about economic performance, tax, and political decisions according to both national and international factors.
They seek to determine the implications of their findings and forecast change.
They solve complex problems by the application of a range of economic analysis tools. |
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| Where Business Economists are employed |
The Government Economic Service (part of the Civil Service) is the largest individual employer of Economists in the UK. Some 500 economists are employed in around 30 government departments or agencies.
♦ The Bank of England
♦ Privatised Utilities and their regulating bodies
♦ Banks, Insurance companies and Investment houses
♦ Financial journals and Broad-Sheet newspapers
♦ Trade Unions, Political Parties and Employers Organisations
♦ Management and Economic Consultancies
♦ International Organisations such as: OECD (Organisation for Economic & Cultural Development)
♦ IMF (International Monetary Fund)
♦ European Commission
♦ World Bank
♦ United Nations |
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| Education & Training |
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An academic education on the following lines is a typical requirement:
GCSE - Maths & English are essential. History and Geography are helpful.
'A' Level - Mathematics is very strongly recommended: there is a very high Maths content in Economics degree courses. Economics at 'A' level is desirable, though not essential.
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Higher Education – A good first degree (2:1 or above) in Economics, or a business studies degree with a high economics content is typically the minimum requirement. In many cases, however, a second degree in economics or an economics-related discipline is now also required. A number of Universities run Masters degree courses specifically in Business Economics, or in Business Administration (MBA).
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Entry Requirements for a degree course - A minimum of two, but more usually three good 'A' level passes. The University Handbook gives general information on courses. Detailed information on specific courses should be obtained from the Admissions Secretary at the Economics or Business Studies departments of appropriate Universities.
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Essential Personal Qualities, Skills and Attainments
♦ Ability to undertake projects thoroughly, methodically and accurately
♦ Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing
♦ Well developed Computing skills |
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Before embarking on years of specific training, it would be sensible to try to find out as much as possible about what Business Economists actually do. In practice, the roles of Economists in business vary greatly from organisation to organisation. Make contact with some economists working in different fields, if at all possible.
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Whilst not strictly a requirement for employment as a Business Economist, work experience (perhaps during school or university holidays), particularly in an economics department, will aid employment prospects. Proficiency in a foreign language can also enhance employment prospects.
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| Job Advertisements for Economists |
♦ Broad-sheet Daily and Sunday Newspapers, particularly the Financial Times
♦ The Economist magazine
♦ Large employers of economists, such as certain government departments and the Bank of England, tend to advertise vacancies on their websites. |
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| What Business Economists Earn |
| See the 'SBE Salary Surveys' |
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| Relevant Publications |
♦ Management Services, Management Consultancy and Economic & Statistical Work AgCAS careers information booklet
♦ Guide to Careers in Finance - Hobsons Publishing (Guides to 'Careers In…' series).
♦ CLIPS careers information leaflet - Contact your School or University Careers Department or write to Lifetime Careers Wiltshire Ltd., 7, Ascot Court, White Horse Business Park, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 OXA |
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| SBE Publications for download on this Web-site |
♦ The Changing World of the Business Economist Barry Naisbitt The Business Economist 1995
♦ Where do Economists Work & What do they Do? Jill Leyland The Business Economist 1997 |
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| The SBE |
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The Society welcomes as members (at reduced fees), undergraduate or postgraduate students reading an economics/or business related discipline. Details of the SBE’s aims and activities, and a membership application form (with details of current fees), are available in the membership section.
Of particular interest to final year undergraduate and postgraduate students is the fact that a number of firms seeking to recruit economists use the SBE from time to time to advertise positions in business economics directly to its members.
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