First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from George Mason University 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 53%, Economics graduates from George Mason University have a much lower likelihood (-14%) 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: 15%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCommunications InternEntertainment Industries Council, Inc. Jan 2013 - May 2013 Marketing Coordinator Jackson Lewis P.C. Jul 2013 - Jun 2015 Marketing Coordinator immixGroup Jul 2015 - Oct 2016 Interior Design Intern &pizza Sep 2017 - Aug 2018 Design Associate SWATCHROOM Sep 2018 - May 2019 Designer sshape Jun 2019 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGInterior Architecture MFACorcoran School of the Arts and Design at The George Washington University 2016 - 2018 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
People who graduated with a degree in Economics from George Mason University have landed in a variety of jobs, and the relevance of those jobs to their degree varies quite a bit. A notable trend is that many graduates have taken roles in finance, analysis, and consulting, where they can use their economic skills effectively. Positions like Financial Analyst, Pricing Analyst, and Economic Analyst are examples where their education comes into play daily, making these jobs highly relevant to economics. On the other hand, a significant number of graduates find themselves in sales, marketing, or administrative roles that may require some analytical thinking but often don't fully utilize their economics background. For instance, jobs like Marketing Coordinator or Office Manager focus more on strategies and operations instead of economic theories and analyses.
Interestingly, we also see some graduates entering fields that seem quite unrelated to economics, such as sports or legal work. Roles like Professional Athlete or Law Clerk are examples where economics knowledge doesn't come into play at all. This might indicate that while a degree in economics provides solid analytical and critical thinking skills, those skills can be sprinkled across various industries and not always in economics-specific roles. So, if someone is looking for a job directly tied to their economics background, they might find it in finance or analysis positions, but if they're open to other fields, the opportunities expand greatly—even if the connection to economics isn't as strong.
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 George Mason University):
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from George Mason University with degrees in Economics, you can see a pretty diverse set of paths. Most of the earlier graduates, like those from 2010 to 2014, generally have started off in roles like research associates, financial analysts, and marketing specialists. These positions offer a good foot in the door for those who want to climb the corporate ladder in relevant fields like finance, consulting, or marketing. Fast forward five to ten years, and many of these grads have moved up to positions like directorial roles, project managers, or even specialized analysts in finance, which showcases a promising progression in their careers related to the application of economics.
However, not every grad seems to stick strictly to traditional economics-related jobs long-term. While some have ended up in successful roles within finance or consulting, others veer off into areas like marketing, project management, or even sports and performing arts. Some have taken on roles that feel a bit detached from the economics field, like customer service or technical recruiting. Nevertheless, a solid portion of the alumni have managed to establish themselves in careers that utilize their economics education effectively, leading to roles where they can leverage analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are core to an economics degree. Overall, there's a blend of success stories that show how versatile an economics degree can be, even if not all paths align perfectly with the traditional expectations of the field.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics can be a mixed bag, and it largely depends on your interests and strengths. At George Mason University, you can expect a pretty solid mix of theory, statistics, and real-world applications. Some students find the math and quantitative analysis aspects a bit challenging, especially if they’re not super comfortable with numbers. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, but it's also not the hardest major out there. If you enjoy problem-solving and have a knack for understanding how markets and economies work, you might find it more manageable than some other students do. Just stay organized, keep up with the readings, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Economics.
Looking at these Economics grads from George Mason University, it seems like they've generally done pretty well for themselves, especially as they gained experience. The earlier graduates who moved into roles like financial analysts, marketing directors, and project managers likely saw their salaries climb significantly over the years. For instance, those in finance and consulting typically make a solid income, often reaching six figures as they advance. Others have taken creative paths, like the freelance writer or marketing consultant, and while those can be hit-or-miss in terms of income, they likely found ways to make it work. Overall, it appears that most of these people are on a decent financial track, with a mix of stability and growth in their careers.
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 George Mason University). 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: