First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Economics graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 40% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Economics graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 98%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from Columbia University in the City of New York with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Economics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONR&D AnalystLocus Analytics Sep 2016 - Jun 2018 R&D Lead Locus Analytics Jun 2018 - Jun 2021 Product Manager Locus Analytics May 2020 - Jun 2021 Summer Consultant EY-Parthenon Jun 2022 - Aug 2022 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Business Administration - MBAYale School of Management 2021 - 2023 Master of Public Health - MPH Yale School of Public Health 2023 - 2024 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job paths of Columbia University economics graduates, a clear pattern emerges: many of them end up in roles related to finance, consulting, and product management. A significant number took on roles like Investment Banking Analyst or Private Equity Associate, where strong analytical skills and economic knowledge are crucial. These positions, particularly in investment banking, consistently relate back to the training they received during their degree. Others have ventured into entrepreneurship, with roles such as Co-Founder or CEO in various startups, where understanding market dynamics and economic principles becomes essential for success.
However, not all jobs are closely tied to economics. Some graduates ventured into areas like training management, legal assistance, or sales, where the direct application of economic theories is minimal. Positions like a Luxury Brand Specialist might touch on consumer behavior but don't fully leverage an economics background. So, while many alumni successfully find roles that align well with their economics training, there are also quite a few who drift into fields where their degree is more of a nice-to-have than a necessity. Overall, the relevance of their jobs to their economics education varies quite a bit!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Economics graduates (this is across all Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Columbia University in the City of New York):
Looking at these graduates from Columbia University with degrees in Economics, it's pretty clear that many of them have taken some solid career paths. For their first jobs, a good number of them landed positions in investment banking or consulting, which are super common and pretty well-paying starting points for Economics majors. For instance, graduates from 2014 and 2015 have jumped right into competitive roles at firms like Morgan Stanley and Blackstone, showing that they're making strong starts in finance-related fields.
Fast-forwarding a bit, after about five to ten years in their careers, many of these graduates seem to be climbing the professional ladder quite nicely, often moving into management or founding their own companies. We see examples like a co-founder of a consulting firm and a product director at a major financial market company. There are also interesting trajectories into academia, such as someone becoming an assistant professor. While not everyone ended up in traditional finance roles, it looks like many graduates are still leveraging their Economics backgrounds effectively, whether in tech, consulting, or entrepreneurship. Overall, it seems like they're doing pretty well for themselves and making a mark in various sectors.
Alright, so getting a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Columbia University is definitely on the tougher side compared to other places. Columbia is a top-tier school with a rigorous program, so you'll be diving deep into complex math, theories, and real-world applications. Classes can be pretty intense, and you'll have to be ready for a lot of reading, problem sets, and maybe even some late nights studying. It's not just about memorizing facts; you'll need to develop strong analytical skills and think critically about economic issues. If you're someone who enjoys challenges and has a knack for math and logical thinking, it might be a great fit, but it’s certainly not a walk in the park!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Economics.
Looking at the career paths of these Columbia Economics grads, it seems like many of them are doing pretty well financially, especially those who moved into fields like investment banking, private equity, and tech product management. For instance, the one who climbed the ranks from Investment Banking Analyst at Morgan Stanley to a Senior Associate at The Carlyle Group is likely raking in a good salary, given that these roles are known for high pay. Similarly, the grads who took the entrepreneurial route, like the founders of AgileTravel and Desolas Mezcal, could also be making decent money if their startups take off. However, some, like those who started in teaching or legal roles, may not be seeing quite the same salary scale. Overall, it looks like the majority have likely found ways to make solid cash, particularly those in high-demand sectors.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Economics (this is across all Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Columbia University in the City of New York). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Economics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Economics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: