Economics Careers
Key information
Economics as part of your undergraduate degree provides an excellent preparation for a range of careers, including areas such as;
- Financial sector (e.g. economist; retail, investment, and corporate & treasury banking; research analyst; securities trader)
- Teaching
- Government departments and agencies (e.g. Dept of Finance, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Central Statistics Office, Enterprise Ireland, Industrial Development Authority, Central Bank of Ireland, Economic and Social Research Institute)
- Housing market analysis
- Transportation, energy and telecommunications industries
Follow on study
- MA in Business Management
- MA in International Tourism
- MSc in Economic Analysis
- MSc in Financial Services
- MSc in International Management and Global Business
- MSc in Marketing, Consumption & Society
Student Profile
Damian Houlihan
I choose UL because of its high success rate for graduate employability and the quality of the teaching and learning experience. I am currently studying Economics and Politics and International Relations. These subjects combine topics on economies and governments and how they influence decisions at local and international levels which I have a keen interest in. There is a strong relationship between Economics and Politics.
The course is diverse, in that it offers a wide range of subjects to choose from in first year. It has given me an opportunity to experience unique learning in how the world works, how decisions and government policies impact on the economy and on employment. The degree is flexible which leads to broader career choices, job opportunities and many postgraduate options.
I am currently on Co-Op in Kerry with an insurance firm. The benefits of the work placement are immense. My role is in the area of new business and risk management. Dealing with the public for new business and assessing risks involved. I work as part of a team and have first-hand experience of teamwork and the value it brings to the workplace. I have further developed skills in time management, organizational skills, problem solving and communication skills, along with the ability to plan, organize and prioritize work. These skills are key for any workplace and are highly transferrable for employment. At the end of the summer I’m excited to travel to the US to undertake a Study Abroad semester at the University of Colorado.
Hannah O'Donovan
I’m a second year student majoring in Economics and Politics with International Relations through BA Arts course. I chose this program because it gives students the opportunity to participate in both cooperative work placement and Erasmus.
I always knew I wanted to study economics but wasn’t sure what to combine it with. That’s something I love about the arts degree - you don’t have to make concrete decisions too early into your studies. You have the chance to try four subjects in first year and see if they suit you. During this time I fell in love with politics and saw how the subject intersects heavily with economics.
I’m currently on work placement in wealth asset management assurance. This experience is unbelievably valuable as you get to see the workplace first hand, work on teams and see if a specific career might suit you. I’ve had the chance to work with UL’s Economics and Investments Society and served as its vice president. I received a President’s Volunteer Award for this work. I appreciate that UL values volunteering in this way, and it looks amazing on a CV.
The range of career paths that come from an economics degree is huge; you could end up in finance, data analytics, government services, education, etc. You can go anywhere with a base in economics.
My advice to prospective students is that you will get out of college what you put in. UL really provides everything possible to support you and set you up for success.
