First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from Northeastern 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Economics graduates from Northeastern University have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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, only 18% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Economics graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 17%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Northeastern University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSr. POS Error & Triage AnalystDoorDash Jan 2019 - Apr 2022 Account Manager Bbot Apr 2022 - Dec 2022 Sr. Digital Ordering Specialist WOWorks Apr 2023 - Present Product Support Specialist Dropbox Mar 2024 - Present ABOUTData Analysis & POS Specialist for the Food/Tech industry! |
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 Economics graduates from Northeastern University, it seems like many of them end up in roles that are only loosely connected to the core principles of economics. A significant number of alumni are working in auditing, project management, and sales roles, such as Audit Consultants and Sales Representatives, which, while they may require some analytical skills, don’t really dive deep into the economic theories or concepts that you'd think an economics degree would prepare a person for. Many positions, like those at Aetna, focus more on compliance or operational tasks rather than utilizing economic knowledge directly, making them appear somewhat irrelevant to the field. Even in sales roles, the connection to economic principles is often weak—mostly emphasizing general business acumen rather than economic analysis.
On the flip side, some graduates have managed to find roles that heavily rely on their Economics education, like those who became Partners at P/E Investments or worked as Credit Risk Analysts at Goldman Sachs. These positions definitely connect back to economic theories and quantitative skills learned in school, showcasing that there are opportunities for graduates who seek them out. Overall, while some Northeastern Economics alumni do find relevant jobs, a considerable portion seems to drift into areas that don't directly utilize their degree, which can be seen as a bit of a missed opportunity in applying their economics training fully. But hey, at least they’ve got a diverse range of experiences that can enhance their skill sets in different fields!
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 Northeastern University):
When you look at the career trajectories of Economics graduates from Northeastern University, it's clear that many of them find their footing in pretty solid roles, especially early on. For their first jobs, a lot seem to land roles like analysts, consultants, or sales representatives, often in reputable firms. For instance, graduates from the classes of 2011 to 2018 entered industries ranging from finance and consulting to tech and marketing. That suggests a strong initial alignment with their Economics degrees since these fields rely on analytical skills and economic principles.
Moving forward, five to ten years down the line, many of these graduates often climb up the corporate ladder into managerial or specialized positions. You see people becoming senior managers, project leads, or even starting their own companies. For instance, someone who started as an audit consultant transitioned to a senior manager role at Aetna, while another graduate went from an account executive to a partner at a private equity firm! Overall, it looks like many of these alums are finding success in careers that closely relate to their Economics background, which is great news if you're considering this path!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics can be a bit of a mixed bag, and Northeastern University is no exception. Generally, you'll deal with a lot of quantitative stuff, like calculus and statistics, which can be challenging, especially if math isn’t your strong suit. However, the program also covers interesting topics like behavioral economics and policy analysis, which can make things more enjoyable. Northeastern leans into experiential learning, so it’s not just textbook stuff, and that can help make the coursework more relatable. Overall, it might feel a bit harder than some other degrees, especially if you’re not super into math, but if you keep on top of things and engage with the material, it’s definitely manageable!
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 Northeastern University Economics grads, it seems like many of them are doing pretty well for themselves, especially those who graduated earlier. For instance, the 2011 grad has steadily climbed the corporate ladder at Aetna, potentially raking in a solid salary now as a Senior Manager. The 2013 and 2014 grads also seem to have made some smart moves, with one now being a Partner at a private equity firm and another running their own consulting business. Even the more recent grads are finding good positions, like the 2020 grad who is already at McKinsey and the 2023 grad making moves at Goldman Sachs. Overall, it looks like a lot of these folks are making decent money and are on track for even better opportunities down the line!
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 Northeastern 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: