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
Postgraduate Options
Conversion Courses
Higher Diplomas
Employment Sector
Masters
Taught or Research
PhD’s
(3 – 6 years)
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 Skills
SKILL ACQUISITION
Acquired via sports,
employment, projects,
voluntary work, hobbies
etc.
SKILL MATCH
Employer seeks
concrete evidence in
CV and Interview
SKILL TRANSFER
Skills acquired in any
situation, applied to
other situations
SKILL PROGRESSION
Employers feel acquired
skills can be transferred &
progressed
Transferable skills can be defined as
"an ability learnt in one context, which can be applied in another".
Examples:
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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
The Skills Employers seek
Civil Service – seek graduates who…
•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
• Organisational
Time & Project management, meeting
deadlines, prioritising activities,
multi-tasking, logical thinking
• Communication / Interpersonal
Verbal & written ability,
summarising information,
working in multi-disciplinary
teams
• Personal traits
Intellectual curiosity,
adaptability, resilience/
persistence, working without
direct supervision
Careers for Economics graduates
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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 Analysis
Stock broking / Trading
Fund Management / Accounting
Insurance
Statistician
Research / Academia
Other Career Options - Economics
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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 Vitae
Jo Bloggs
25 Riverwood Park
Milltown, Dublin 6
Tel: 087 123 4567
Email: jo.bloggs@nomail.ie
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EDUCATION
UCD
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
2007-2010
Subjects / Dissertation / Results / Erasmus ......
St John’s Secondary School
Leaving Cert : (all at Honours level)
2002-2007
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 2008
Martha’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.
SKILLS
Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access
IT:
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
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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 THYSELF
Profiling for Success
www.ucd.ie/careers
- click on Psychometric testing
- Client code:
tflhe
- Access code:
- Password:
ucd
ucd4
Learning Styles
Type Dynamic Indicator
Numerical / Verbal Ability
"Whether you think you can or whether you
think you can't, you're right!"
Henry Ford (1908)