Economics is an excellent background for graduate studies in areas such as law, business, or public administration.
The everyday activities of business economists are a mystery to many people. Perhaps the main reason is that business economics as a profession was largely unknown until the depression-ridden 1930s, when economists assumed important positions in the federal government. As an academic discipline, economics goes back more than two centuries.
Business began to employ economists in increasing numbers after World War II. Since then, the profession has grown rapidly. Currently, business economists are at work in manufacturing, mining, transportation, communications, banking, insurance, retailing, investment, and other types of enterprise, as well as in government agencies, trade associations, and consulting organizations.
The role of business economists varies with the size of the firm. Some large corporations have an economics department with several economists on staff, while other firms have economists who function partly in the profession and partly in corporate planning, finance, or market research. Businesses not large enough to employ full-time economists often use the services of economic consultants. Even firms with full time economists frequently turn to consultants to augment their own capabilities.
(from Careers in Business Economics by the National Association for Business Economics)
American Economic Association
Our purpose is to encourage economic research, especially the historical and statistical study of the actual conditions of industrial life, issue publications on economic subjects, and perfect freedom of economic discussion. An associated website is rfe.org. It is a valuable resource for information on jobs, grants, grad schools, and much more.
Seattle Economists Council
Our goal is to provide you with both opportunities for professional and social interaction with fellow economists and with an organization that promotes our profession in the local community. We are the Seattle chapter of the NABE.
National Association of Business Economists
NABE is an association of professionals who have an interest in business economics and who want to use the latest economic data and trends to enhance their ability to make sound business decisions.
National salary information is available on salary.com.
State of Washington detailed salary information can be found at: workforceexplorer.com
The Occupational Outlook Handbook by the US Dept of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics is a nationally recognized source of career information. Below is a list of executive, administrative, managerial, and professional occupations that can demand someone with an economics degree.
Economists
Financial Managers
Loan Officers
To find out more about the duties and qualifications of specific jobs requiring economists, go to The Seattle Times online classifieds and enter a search for 'economist'.
Their web site is: http://marketplace.nwsource.com/jobs/
For more information, run a search for "Careers in Economics" in your favorite search engine.