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Unlock Your Future
A degree in economics gives you versatile and marketable skills like data analysis and quantitative problem solving. Our alumni work in a wide variety of careers including finance, policy analysis, consulting, data analytics, non-profit organizations, business administration and all levels of government.
SFU Economics grads are in demand! Here are just a few places you'll find them.
Economics Careers
Finance and Banking
The financial services sector is a significant component of the BC and Canadian economy and is a future growth industry. Learn about securities and their markets, investment portfolios, and long-term investment in real assets and more, in the context of personal and corporate financial decision-making.
Discover Career Pathways
Academic pathway: A major/honours degree in Economics with a joint major or minor in Business
Relevant courses:
- ECON 103 - Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 105 - Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON 310 - Money and Banking
Additional credentials (before your finish your degree or shortly after):
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1
- Canadian Securities Course (CSC)
Common pathways upon completion: Retail banking, corporate and investment banking, insurance
Job titles (may include and not limited to): Investment specialist, portfolio manager, account manager, actuary, financial manager, credit analyst, banking associate
Accounting
Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, identify potential areas of opportunity and risk, and provide solutions for businesses and individuals. They ensure that financial records are accurate, that financial and data risks are evaluated, and that taxes are paid properly.
Discover Career Pathways
Academic pathway: A major/honours degree in economics with a minor in business
Relevant courses:
- ECON 103 - Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 105 - Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON 310 - Money and Banking
Additional credentials (before your finish your degree or shortly after):
Once finished your 4 year economics degree you may enter directly into a CPA Professional Education Program (PEP). Popular options to do this are with UBC Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) or directly through CPA Canada.
Common pathways upon completion: Private firms (such as PWC, Deloitte, KPMG), government (all levels), not-for-profit organizations
Job titles (may include and not limited to): Staff audit accountant, tax analyst/accountant, staff junior accountant, internal auditor
Government and Policy
Employees in this field are responsible for the research and analysis of information, consulting with stakeholders, government officials and internal staff, the development of options and preparation of recommendations on a wide range of policy projects.
Discover Career Pathways
Academic pathway: A major/honours degree in Economics with a minor political science, International Studies, Public Policy
Relevant courses:
- ECON 104 - Economics and Government
- ECON 310 - Money and Banking
- ECON 342 - International Trade
- ECON 355W - Economic Development
- ECON 392 - Public Economics: Role of Government
- ECON 426W - Industrial Organization: Governance and Institutions
Additional credentials (before your finish your degree or shortly after):
Once finished your 4 year economics degree you may enter directly into a graduate/professional programs in public policy, public administration, political science and law.
Common pathways upon completion: Private firms (PWC, Deloitte, KPMG), government (all levels), not-for-profit
Job titles (may include and not limited to): Policy analyst, market researcher, lobbyist, politician, government officer (many different departments), foreign officer
Data Science and Technology
A data analyst's focus is to make sense out of existing data through routine analysis and writing reports. They work towards answering business-related questions. A data scientist works on new ways to capture, store, manipulate and analyze that data.
Discover Career Pathways
Academic pathway: A major/honours degree in Economics with a Concentration in Economic Data Analysis or a minor in statistics or computer science.
Relevant courses:
- ECON 233 - Introduction to Economic Data and Statistics
- ECON 333 - Statistical Analysis of Economic Data
- ECON 334 - Data Visualization and Economic Analysis
- ECON 335 - Cause and Effect in Economic Data
- ECON 435 - Econometric Methods
- ECON 436 - Seminar in Economics and Social Network Analysis
- ECON 480 - Seminar in the Economics of Labor Market Policy
Additional credentials (before your finish your degree or shortly after):
Once finished your 4 year economics degree you may enter directly into a graduate/professional program in data science.
Common pathways upon completion: Private firms (Amazon, Google), government (all levels), all sectors
Job titles (may include and not limited to): Data scientist, data analyst, business analyst
Environmental Economics
In this growing field, employees might conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and the use of natural resources.They may evaluate or quantify the benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative energy options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
Discover Career Pathways
Academic pathway: A major/honours degree in Economics with a minor in statistics, geography or a minor in the Faculty of Environment.
Relevant courses:
- ECON 260 - Environmental Economics
- ECON 290 - Microeconomic Policy
- ECON 362 - Economics of Natural Resources
- ECON 392 - Public Economics: Role of Government
- ECON 460 - Seminar in Environmental Economics
Additional credentials (before your finish your degree or shortly after):
Once finished your 4 year economics degree you may enter directly into a graduate/professional programs in environmental science, sustainability, resource management or policy programs that often only require a non-specific 4 year degree.
Common pathways upon completion:
Private Firms (oil and mining companies for example), government (all levels)
Job titles (may include and not limited to):
Environmental policy analyst, policy analyst, sustainability risk and reporting, social impact specialist.
Other Options
Careers in health economics, entrepreneurship, law, sales, real estate, insurance, recruiting (talent acquisition) and not-for-profits.
Discover Career Pathways
Academic pathway: A major/honours degree in Economics with any number of minors including business, political science, criminology, sociology.
Relevant courses:
- ECON 260 - Environmental Economics
- ECON 280 - Introduction to Labor Economics
- ECON 362 - Economics of Natural Resources
- ECON 370 - Health Economics
- ECON 381 - Labour Economics
Additional credentials (before your finish your degree or shortly after):
Once finished your 4 year economics degree you may enter directly into a graduate/professional programs in law, real estate and insurance credentialling.
Common pathways upon completion: All sectors
Job titles (may include and not limited to): Consultant, risk and analyst positions, affordable housing analyst, health promotion researcher, talent aquisition, corporate lawyer, entrepreneur
Career Success Stories
Support on Your Career Journey
In addition to our rigorous academic programs we offer regular career workshops, alumni network events and visits from industry speakers.
Career Support
Learn More About Economics
These professional associations are a great place to learn more about the field.