First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from University of Arizona 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? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 55%, Economics graduates from University of Arizona have a much lower likelihood (-12%) 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: 86%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Economics. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFinancial AnalystGyros Protein Technologies AB Jan 2018 - Oct 2019 FP&A Analyst Mesa Laboratories, Inc. Nov 2019 - Jun 2022 Senior FP&A Analyst Mesa Laboratories, Inc. Jun 2022 - Jun 2023 Manager, FP&A and Sales Operations Mesa Laboratories, Inc. Jun 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job paths of Economics graduates from the University of Arizona, it seems like many of them have ended up in roles that are not directly tied to the core principles of Economics. Positions like Sales Executive, Marketing Coordinator, and even various managerial roles dominate the list. While some of these jobs might benefit from a basic understanding of economic concepts—especially when it comes to market dynamics and pricing strategies—they often don't require deep knowledge of economics. Instead, they tend to lean more towards sales, marketing, and general business management which doesn’t really tap into the heavy analytical and theoretical side of the Economics degree.
However, there are a few standout roles, primarily in finance and business analytics like Financial Analysts and Business Analysts, where the economic knowledge gained from their studies does play a critical role. It's clear that while Economics provides valuable skills — particularly in analysis and critical thinking — many of these graduates have found themselves in jobs where they don’t utilize their degree in the way they might have anticipated. So, while their jobs aren't completely unrelated to Economics, they often veer more into general business or managerial territories that don’t fully leverage their specialized education.
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 University of Arizona):
Students who graduate with a degree in Economics from the University of Arizona generally follow a pretty diverse set of career paths. Right out of college, many of them seem to land roles that lean towards business development, marketing, or analysis, such as sales executive positions or roles as business analysts. These first jobs tend to leverage their analytical skills and business acumen, which are fundamental parts of an Economics education. For instance, recent graduates from 2019 and 2021 got into various analyst roles or positions in customer service, signaling a mix of entry-level opportunities that still utilize some Economic principles.
Looking a bit further down the line, around five to ten years post-graduation, many graduates appear to move into more specialized roles, often climbing the corporate ladder into positions like product managers, directors of marketing, and other leadership roles. For example, graduates from 2010 and 2012 moved from marketing coordinators and business analysts into director and VP roles in their fields. However, not everyone seems to have found their path in directly relevant economic roles, as some have drifted into areas that may not fully utilize their degree. Still, a fair number have indeed secured solid positions, indicating that an Economics degree can lead to a wide range of successful career trajectories, especially in business and management sectors.
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Economics can be a bit of a mixed bag, and it really depends on your interests and strengths. At the University of Arizona, like many places, you’ll dive into topics like micro and macroeconomics, statistics, and possibly some more advanced theory, which can be challenging if math isn't your strong suit. The workload can be pretty intense at times, especially when you’re juggling assignments and projects, so it requires good time management. But for people who enjoy analytical thinking and problem-solving, it can be more manageable and even enjoyable. Overall, I’d say it's about average in difficulty compared to other majors; it has its tough moments, but if you stay on top of your studies and seek help when needed, you can definitely make it through!
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 the University of Arizona, it seems like some of them have managed to carve out solid careers with decent pay, while others are still finding their footing. For instance, the marketing and product management pathways show a clear trajectory into roles like VP, which usually brings in pretty good money. The people who stuck with established companies like Hilton and Benefitfocus also seem to be on a good path, gradually moving up the ranks. However, there are others, especially those starting out in more entry-level positions, that might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. Overall, it looks like some are doing well, but others are still climbing the ladder, so the financial picture is a mixed bag.
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 University of Arizona). 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: