Obtaining economics work experience requires formal education and the development of research and project management skills. Internships and work experience in related fields, such as business, can help individuals gain an understanding of how economies develop. Some private organizations may help place students in internships that will help them further their career in economics. For government and university research positions, hiring managers tend to prefer candidates with advanced degrees and experience in developing and analyzing economic theories.
It is very difficult to obtain economics work experience without completing at least a bachelor's degree. Most future economists develop their quantitative skills by taking advanced level math courses while in undergraduate school. While choosing economics as a major is obvious, those who aspire to work as an economist might also study business administration or certain types of mathematics. Pursuing a master's or doctorate degree in a specific economic specialty opens up additional work opportunities, especially in the private sector.
A popular and generally accessible way to gain economics work experience while pursuing a degree is through an internship. Students may be able to locate suitable internships through their school's career services office or during on-campus recruiting events. A person might find it beneficial to research companies that offer internships in business, market trading, and economics to undergraduate and graduate level students. Another way to find internships is through professional organizations that help match students with competitive programs that are sponsored by major companies.
Gaining economics work experience through governmental agencies can be less competitive than the private sector, depending upon the country. Fewer educational qualifications may be required for entry-level positions in assistant and research positions. Another way to gain skills that are valuable to an individual's development as a future economist is to obtain positions in securities trading or marketing. These positions familiarize workers with the way an economy operates and the driving factors behind economic activity.
One of the ways that a candidate can distinguish himself when searching for economics work experience is to develop knowledge in a particular discipline, such as microeconomic theory. This specialty or focus should probably be determined during a student's undergraduate studies and further pursued with an advanced degree. Graduate school can help prepare aspiring economists for the self-discipline, research, report analysis, and hypothesis testing that many of these positions require. Teaching at the university level is an additional way to work in the field of economics, although a doctorate degree is usually mandatory for tenured positions.
