First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from University of Washington 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 29 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Economics graduates from University of Washington 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, 44% 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: 36%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from University of Washington with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFounder and Chief Financial OfficerSpreadlove (UW Course - Creating a Company) Jan 2019 - Jun 2019 Office Representative State Farm Jan 2019 - Jun 2019 Services Specialist Industrial Solutions Network by CED Jun 2019 - Jul 2020 Customer Success Specialist Industrial Solutions Network by CED Jul 2020 - Feb 2022 Customer Success Lead Industrial Solutions Network by CED Feb 2022 - May 2023 Client Success Manager Grubhub May 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGPostgraduate Certificate ProgramTexas McCombs School of Business 2021 - 2022 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
It looks like many graduates from the University of Washington with a degree in Economics have gone on to work in diverse fields, but unfortunately, not all of their jobs directly relate to what they studied. A common trend is that many have taken on roles in sales, project management, and various positions in the hospitality industry. Positions like Inside Sales Branch Manager, Sales Associate, and even Project Manager often focus more on customer service, operations, or management rather than applying complex economic theories or models. While some skills from their economics education, like analytical thinking or market understanding, may come into play, it seems that the core economic principles aren't always a focal part of these jobs.
On the other hand, there are definitely cases where the economics background proves useful and relevant. Roles in financial analysis, consulting, and even some positions in human resources utilize economic theories effectively. For example, jobs like Commercial AR Analyst II, Financial Operations Specialist, and Consulting Analyst appear to align well with the skill set gained from an Economics degree. Overall, while many graduates find themselves in roles that somewhat align with their economics training, the direct applicability of their degree varies greatly depending on the specific job and industry. So, it’s a mixed bag where some really get to use their education while others drift into roles that require only a fraction of what they learned in school.
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 Washington):
Graduates from the University of Washington with a degree in Economics generally show a diverse range of career trajectories, with an observable trend toward roles that utilize analytical skills and economic principles. For their first jobs post-graduation, many seem to gravitate toward positions in sales, customer service, and administrative roles, which offer foundational experiences but may not always be directly aligned with their economics training. Positions like Sales Associate or Parks Aide appear common, particularly in the early years right after graduation. However, some graduates quickly pivot into more specialized fields, such as finance or project management, within a few years. This pattern suggests that while many start in more generalized roles, there’s a significant shift toward more relevant, economics-related jobs as they accumulate experience.
Fast forward five to ten years after graduation, and you'll find that many alumni have moved into roles that clearly connect to their economics background. Many have transitioned into finance, data analysis, human resources, and project management roles, often within large companies like Amazon and various financial institutions. Some have even taken entrepreneurial routes or transitioned to legal and marketing fields. While a few graduates appear to have veered away from traditional economics paths—like those in the hospitality sector—most of the careers listed show a substantial alignment with economics and quantitative skills, indicating that a degree in economics from UW can lead to fulfilling careers if graduates strategically leverage their education and skills.
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Economics at the University of Washington, or really at most universities, can be a bit challenging, but it's not impossible if you're dedicated. Economics involves a lot of math and analytical thinking, especially when you dive into statistics and economic theory. There’s definitely a mix of theory and practical applications, and you’ll probably have to tackle some tough concepts and problem sets. That said, if you enjoy math and the way economies function, you might find it interesting rather than overwhelming. Overall, it can be considered a bit more demanding than some other majors, but with the right mindset and effort, you can definitely handle it! Just keep up with your studies, and you’ll be fine!
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 job histories of these University of Washington Economics graduates, it seems like some have landed pretty good gigs, while others are still trying to find their footing. For instance, the folks working at big names like Amazon and financial firms appear to be on track to make decent money, especially if they move up in the ranks, which is likely given their career trajectories. Conversely, people who are in roles like park aides or part-time sales positions might be earning less, particularly in the early stages of their careers. Overall, there’s a mix—some are cruising toward comfortable salaries, while others are probably experiencing the more typical grind of starting at the bottom and working their way up. So yeah, it all depends on where they ended up on that spectrum!
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 Washington). 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: