Students studying in Social Sciences Building

What can I do with my studies?

Economics

Program overview

Program requirements

Acquired skills

University education stimulates the development of many valuable skills transferable to the workplace. Employers increasingly demand a set of skills from their employees; communication, research, data use, analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organizational, responsibility, adaptability and autonomy, and teamwork skills are sought after. While they can seem limited to each program of study, skills are adaptable and extendable to a variety of situations and they can also be used to acquire other aptitudes and abilities hence ensuring the development and advancement of ones career (to further develop your skill set, see Experience section). The list of skills below can then help in the process of choosing occupations that best fit your education and aptitudes and it can also be used to communicate your employability.

General Skills 

  • Think critically about economic and social issues 
  • Communicate in a professional manner 
  • Work independently to meet deadlines
  • Use appropriate software to analyze real-world problems 
  • Use appropriate research tools to analyse economic and social issues 
  • Interpret and apply economic models of behaviour to real-world situations 
  • Collect and manipulate statistical data
  • Use statistical methods to understand issues and forecast trends 

Further studies

Many graduate programs are available for people with an undergraduate degree interested in expanding their knowledge, specializing or conducting research. The graduate programs below are examples selected from the list of graduate programs offered by the University of Ottawa. While they are related to this program of study, it is important to consult the admission requirements of the programs as not all types of degrees qualify one for admission. Moreover, additional programs and other universities could be considered depending on your career plan.

Graduate programs

Potential occupations

Universities studies lead to multiple occupations. Furthermore, certain professions require talent, special aptitudes, additional skills and experience beyond degrees themselves. By targeting a profession, it can make decisions easier during your schooling, throughout your job search and, finally, when choosing among job offers. The choices can change over time based on academic, personal, and professional paths and on the knowledge of occupations and of the labour market.

In order to list your choices, visit the Job Bank Canada website and, using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, view job postings, wages, employment prospects and other important information that can help you make a decision. If need be, additional and complementary information can be found via two online career exploration tools (Careercruising and Choices Planner)* also designed to facilitate your career advancement. The occupations found below are examples derived from the National Occupational Classification. They are presented by their occupational group title, in bold, followed by bulleted occupational titles specific to the program of study. Immediately after the occupational titles, the hyperlinked NOC code for the occupational group is provided. Overall, the occupations are presented side by side with their employment requirements and the establishments where to find a job.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada providing a standard taxonomy and framework for dialogue on Labour Market Information. It gathers more than 30,000 occupational titles into 500 Unit Groups, organized according to skill levels and skill types.

Occupations related to this program

Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

  • Commerce Officer
  • Economic development consultant
  • Economic development officer
  • Economic forecaster
  • Economic research officer
  • Industrial development officer 
  • Market analyst

A bachelors degree in economics or a related discipline; certification as a certified economic developer (Ec.D.) may be required; progression to managerial positions is possible with experience

Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers

  • Community social development officer
  • International aid and development project officer
  • Labour market analyst
  • Lobbyist
  • Policy analyst, immigration
  • Poverty researcher
  • Project officer, international aid and development
  • Social policy researcher

A bachelor's degree or college diploma in a social science or related discipline, or in business administration is usually required; a master's degree in a social science or related discipline or in business administration may be required.

Administrative officers

  • Administration officer
  • Administrative analyst
  • Business service officer
  • Financial assistance officer

A university degree or college diploma in business or public administration may be required; experience in a senior clerical or executive secretarial position related to office administration is usually required; project management certification may be required by some employers

Financial sales representatives

  • Credit officer
  • Loan officer
  • Mortgage officer

A bachelors degree in economics; extensive general banking experience is usually required; completion of a six to twelve month loan or credit training program; various training programs and courses are offered by the Institute of Canadian Bankers and may be required by employers; a mutual funds license is usually required; registration with the securities regulatory authority in the province or territory of employment is usually required

Insurance agents and brokers

  • Fire insurance agent
  • Group insurance representative
  • Life insurance agent

A bachelors degree in economics; provincial or territorial licensing is required from a regulatory body such as the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada; to become a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP), applicants must take a series of courses and pass exams designed by the Insurance Institute of Canada

Purchasing agents and officer

  • Contract negotiator
  • Procurement officer
  • Purchasing officer
  • Supply officer, government

A bachelor's degree in economics or a related field; a certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) may be required; previous experience as a purchasing clerk or as an administrative clerk may be required

Other financial officers

  • Financial planner
  • Mortgage broker
  • Trust officer

A bachelors degree in economics or a related discipline; various training programs and courses are offered by financial institutes and organizations, such as the Canadian Securities Institute, and may be required by employers; mortgage brokers require a real estate licence in Quebec and a mortgage broker licence in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia

Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers

  • Financial broker
  • Investment dealer
  • Mutual fund broker
  • Stockbrocker
  • Stock exchange floor trader

A bachelor's or master's degree in economics, business or in a related discipline; completion of industry investment and sales training programs; completion of the Canadian Securities course and the Registered Representative Manual Exam offered by the Canadian Securities Institute; licensure by the provincial securities commission in the province of employment is required; advancement to managerial positions is possible with experience

Financial and investment analysts

  • Financial analyst
  • Financial Research Analyst
  • Investment consultant
  • Money market analyst
  • Portfolio manager

A bachelors degree in economics; on-the-job training and industry courses and programs are usually required; some employers require a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree; professional designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) can be earned from the CFA institute after 4 years of work experience and the successful completion of three different exams.

Banking, credit and other investment managers

A bachelors degree in economics or in a related discipline; a masters degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) or Finance (M.Sc.)  may be required for the management of large commercial loans; completion of management training programs; several years of supervisory experience

Economist and economic policy researchers and analysts

  • Business economist
  • Financial Economist
  • International trade economist
  • Risk management analyst

A masters degree in economics or in a related discipline such as business administration or statistics; a doctorate in economics may be required

Government managers economic analysis, policy development and program administration

  • Economic development co-ordinator
  • Governmental economic development director
  • International trade policy manager, business development director

A bachelor's degree in economics, business administration, commerce or public administration is required; a master's degree in economics or a related field is usually required; several years of experience as economists and economic policy researchers and analysts or business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

Administrators post-secondary education and vocational training

  • Assistant dean
  • Dean
  • Faculty administrator

Faculty administrators require a graduate degree in a field related to the academic faculty and several years of experience as a university professor or college teacher

Related field

Although many students believe that they will pursue a career path directly connected to their university studies, quite often, graduates tend to work in related fields. Below is a list of possible related fields of work based on a given program of study. These fields present opportunities that are not typically considered as first choices when choosing a career path based on a program of study. Hopefully, this list will allow students to further consider the various fields that are loosely connected to their program of study. These results were compiled through a research of the University of Ottawa's alumni profiles which were found on the business-oriented social networking service, LinkedIn. 

Related Fields

  • Operations
  • Education
  • Media and Communication
  • Legal 
  • Program and Project Management 

Acquiring experience

Experience is acquired by participating and trying new personal, educational and professional activities, where it is possible to discover preferences, increase confidence and improve skills. As for professional experience, it is acquired through volunteering, internships, self-employment and full-time or part-time jobs. And certainly, experience working on campus or in other settings adds to the set of skills acquired in your degree (see Acquired Skills section). The Employability Skills 2000+ presenting the skills employers look for in their employees as well as its complementary checklist can help target experience opportunities that will improve your skill set necessary for employment. In addition to developing these skills, performing work related to your program of study can strengthen your expertise and increase your employability.

All examples of volunteer experience and potential employers were selected specifically for this area of study and according to occupational groups in which it is possible to acquire experience. Examples of volunteer organizations in Canada and abroad are preceded by a list of directories that can help to find more volunteer opportunities. Examples of potential employers in Canada and abroad have been compiled in light of events held in partnership with employers, searches in company directories and well-established rankings.

Volunteer opportunities

In addition to providing an opportunity to apply theories and knowledge learned during your university studies outside the classroom, in real world situations, volunteering is a way to help the community and its many organizations. The Community Service Learning also allows students to contribute to their community by participating in projects that are related to their program of study.

Directories

Canada Abroad

Potential employers

The following examples of employers can offer internships or employment opportunities related to students’ program of studies. The examples are presented according to geographic location: Ottawa and Gatineau, Ontario, Quebec and other provinces. 

In Canada

Ottawa/Gatineau Region Ontario

Quebec Other provinces and territories

Abroad

The requirements for working abroad consider factors like administrative laws, professional standards and work permits in some countries. To learn about requirements in various countries, visit Skill Clear or MyWorldAbroad (registration with a @uOttawa.ca email is required to use MyWorldAbroad).

Established globally

North America (excluding Canada)

South America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Others

Job search resources

The job search resources are designed to stimulate networking activities, develop marketing strategies and facilitate access to job postings. Networking events offer employers the opportunity to learn about the available workforce, and they give students a chance to be considered in the recruitment process. Career Development Centre offers helpful tips on networking, interview preparation techniques and different tools that can also be used to help with the preparation of resumés and cover letters.

Professional organizations

Examples of professional organizations, presented by location, provide essential information on professional development opportunities and networking activities, the examples can also provide access to publications and job opportunities.

Canadian Provincial and territorial

American International

Job search sites

Here are a few websites posting jobs available in Canada and abroad related to this field of study.

Canadian International

General Job Search Websites