First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from Rutgers 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Economics graduates from Rutgers University have a much lower 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, only 6% 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: 28%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from Rutgers University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProfessional Football PlayerSaskatchewan Roughrider Football Club Inc. May 2011 - Jul 2012 TargetMobile RadioShack Nov 2012 - Apr 2013 Professional Football Player Hamburg Blue Devils Aug 2013 - Oct 2013 Telecommunications/ Marketing Rep 5LINX Enterprises Inc. Jun 2013 - Jan 2014 Football Operations Asst. Retro Fitness Jan 2012 - May 2012 Personal Trainer & Asst. Manager Retro Fitness Jan 2012 - Feb 2014 Substitute Teacher North Brunswick Township Public Schools Sep 2013 - Feb 2014 Customer Sales and Service Representative Wells Fargo Apr 2014 - Jan 2015 Defensive Coordinator Father Lopez Catholic High School Apr 2017 - Jan 2019 Child Protective Investigator Florida Department of Children and Families Jan 2015 - May 2017 Co Facilitator of the Integrated Practice Team Florida Department of Children and Families May 2017 - Jan 2018 Supervisor Florida Department of Children and Families Jan 2018 - Jan 2019 Head Football Coach Seabreeze High School Jan 2019 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeBethune-Cookman University 2010 - 2012 ABOUTHave a passion for human interaction and building relationships while helping people achieve their goals and also achieving in the process. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job outcomes for graduates from the Economics program at Rutgers University, it’s pretty clear there are a couple of different paths people have taken. Many of them ended up in positions that don’t really directly involve economics, like roles in sports, retail, and even acting. For instance, jobs like Professional Football Player, Personal Trainer, or Customer Service Representative don’t require any economics knowledge at all. On the flip side, some graduates found their way into more relevant fields, especially in finance and analytics, where they were able to use the skills from their economics degree more effectively. Positions like Financial Analyst or roles at companies like Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg clearly align with economics, involving analysis and application of economic principles on a daily basis.
Overall, it seems like the job landscape for these Rutgers Economics grads is pretty mixed. A significant number of them have taken roles where the relevance of their degree is questionable, often opting for jobs in sectors that focus more on practical skills rather than economic theory. However, for those who stuck to finance and analytical roles, their economy-related education definitely paid off, allowing them to thrive in positions that fully utilize their knowledge. So, while some may stray far from the core of economics, there’s a solid group that finds fulfilling work directly tied to their studies!
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 Rutgers University):
Graduates from Rutgers University's Economics program tend to embark on a variety of career paths, reflecting a mix of both relevant and unrelated fields. For many, the first jobs after graduation appear to be in roles that may not directly align with their economics degree, such as positions in retail, coaching, or operations. For example, graduates from 2010 and 2015 took on roles like customer sales representatives and project managers, which may not fully leverage their economics training. However, as time goes on, there's a notable trend where many of these individuals do gravitate toward more relevant roles. By five to ten years post-graduation, several alumni are found in positions like analysts and associates at major financial firms or in operational roles that can involve economic decision-making.
Overall, while there's a mix of success and detours in their early careers, graduates who stick with it often find themselves in impactful roles within finance, analytics, and corporate operations later on. It's not uncommon to see alumni making quite a leap into prominent positions, particularly those who landed analyst roles at prestigious firms like Goldman Sachs or Blackstone a few years after graduation. So while the early jobs may not always reflect their training, many graduates ultimately find their way into successful careers that utilize their economics background.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics can be a mixed bag, and Rutgers is no exception. It's not the easiest degree out there, especially if you're not super into math or analytical thinking, because you'll be dealing with a lot of statistics and economic theory. Some students find the concepts really interesting and manageable, while others might struggle a bit, especially with courses like microeconomics and econometrics. Overall, it’s about average difficulty compared to other majors, but if you have a passion for understanding how the economy works, you might find it more enjoyable than hard. Just be ready for some tough courses and a fair amount of reading and problem-solving!
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 Rutgers grads, it seems like some of them have really done well for themselves, especially those who landed jobs at big firms like Goldman Sachs and Blackstone—those folks are likely pulling in some serious cash. On the other hand, you have a few whose paths seem a bit more winding, like the one who bounced from being a pro football player to substitute teaching and customer service roles; they might not have hit the jackpot financially. Overall, it seems like it really depends on the industry and the specific roles they took on after graduation. Some are definitely raking it in while others might just be getting by, which is pretty typical for recent grads, you know?
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 Rutgers 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: