Career Planning for Economics Graduates

Ena Maguire Career Development Centre, UCD

• What do Economics graduates do after graduation?

• Graduate Study

• Key transferable skills

• Typical careers / industry sectors

• Sample CV

• Getting Started

Employment Sector

PhD’s

(3 – 6 years)

Masters

Taught or Research

Postgraduate Options

Conversion Courses

Higher Diplomas

www.postgradireland.com

Issues to consider when choosing a postgraduate course….

• Do you really enjoy the subject or specialism?

• Is the postgraduate course necessary to pursue your chosen career? Will the qualification give you the edge in a competitive job market?

• Am I completing the postgraduate study to conform with family / friends?

• Is the thought of a job not appealing so continuing study may be the next best thing?

• Does your choice fit in with your long-term career plans? Is the programme recognised by my chosen employer or the relevant professional body?

Transferable SkillsSKILL ACQUISITIONAcquired via sports, employment, projects, voluntary work, hobbies etc.

SKILL TRANSFERSkills acquired in any situation, applied to other situations

SKILL PROGRESSIONEmployers feel acquired skills can be transferred & progressed

SKILL MATCHEmployer seeks concrete evidence in CV and Interview

Transferable skills can be defined as "an ability learnt in one context, which can be applied in another".

Examples:

Adaptability and flexibility Administrative and Organisational skills Problem Solving Computer literacy / Numeracy Instruction, teaching and supervising Languages Time Management Meetings (chairing, negotiating) Networking Oral communication, presentation People skills Research (technical, literature/internet searches) Self-PR - marketing yourself Writing - technical, report Integrity and trust Learning ‘on the fly’

Transferable Skills Example……..Waiter

• Take orders and respond to customer requests = communication skills

• Work with fellow waiters and chefs = teamwork

• Handle cash and work within a commercial environment = business awareness

• Timekeeping, punctuality

• Coping well under pressure

Civil Service – seek graduates who…

The Skills Employers seekThe Skills Employers seek

•Have ambition and vision•Are open to change•Enjoy a challenge•Have an interest in progressing services delivered to the public•Have the potential to be the next generation of senior motivators, visionaries, diplomats, implementers, managers

Key Transferable Skills of Economics Graduates

• Research Reviewing literature, identifying trends, analysing & evaluating information

• OrganisationalTime & Project management,

meeting deadlines, prioritising activities,

multi-tasking, logical thinking

• Communication / InterpersonalVerbal & written ability, summarising information, working in multi-disciplinary teams

• Personal traitsIntellectual curiosity, adaptability, resilience/ persistence, working without direct supervision

Careers for Economics graduates

• Economist – public / private sector, research institutes • Accountant / Trainee Accountant • Tax consultant / Adviser• Solicitor• Barrister• UN Internship programmes / Washington-Ireland Programme / World Bank /

ECB• Administration within international organisations / International

Traineeships • Public Affairs Consultant / lobbyist• Policy Researcher • Banking / Financial Service Investment banking / Corporate Banking,

Private Banking / Risk AnalysisStock broking / Trading

• Fund Management / Accounting• Insurance• Statistician• Research / Academia

Other Career Options - Economics• Writing / Journalism / Publishing / Media• Public Sector – Policy / Foreign Affairs / EU • Education – secondary, tertiary• Business Administration• Management / Strategic Consulting / IT• Public Relations / Marketing / Advertising/ Market

research • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) • Information Management / Research• Not for profit organisations

Curriculum VitaeJo Bloggs

25 Riverwood ParkMilltown, Dublin 6 Tel: 087 123 4567

Email: jo.bloggs@nomail.ie ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EDUCATION

UCD Bachelor of Arts - Economics 2007-2010 Subjects / Dissertation / Results / Erasmus ......

St John’s Secondary School 2002-2007Leaving Cert : (all at Honours level) English (A1), Irish (A1), French (A1),

History (A1), Biology (A1) Maths (A1)

WORK EXPERIENCE Glacier Products Ltd. Communications Dept. Summer

2009• Working for the Director of Internal Communications, had specific

responsibility for Employee Orientation Brochure.• Researched and wrote all content for graduate trainee brochure

including liaising with printing firm. Edited and proof-read many technical documents and project managed the translation of these documents with localisation firm.

Hassett’s Restaurant Waiter Summer

2008Martha’s Vineyard, USA• Worked as a waiter in this family oriented restaurant. Initially

joined as bus boy and subsequently promoted to waiter. • Took customer orders & dealt with queries – consistently received

good feedback and gratuities.

SKILLSIT: Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access Presentation: Extensive experience delivering presentations to small &

large groups

Research: Quantitative and qualitative research skills, questionnaire design and administration, report writing.

Languages: Good written and spoken French

Driving licence: Full clean licence for 4 years, car owner

INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES• Play football with UCD indoor soccer league• Member of the History Society, UCD – involved in charity fundraising for Temple Street

Children’s hospital • Also enjoy skiing, windsurfing, travel, film and reading

References available on request

Getting started.....• Look at www.gradireland.com

– for information about careers&

www.postgradireland.com- For information on courses

• Work on your CV & get it checked in the Career Development Centre

KNOW THYSELFProfiling for Success

www.ucd.ie/careers- click on Psychometric testing- Client code: tflhe- Access code: ucd- Password: ucd4

Learning StylesType Dynamic IndicatorNumerical / Verbal Ability

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right!"

Henry Ford (1908)