In 2005, 80% of economics graduate were in full-time employment, with a starting salary of around $42,000 (Graduate Careers Australia GradStats, December 2005). A recent analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data (Rodney Stinson, 2006, What Jobs Pay) ranks economists as the 7th top earning occupation for those aged 30-34 9and 6th for the over 45s). The Government is a first employer for many new graduates who are serious about economics, and whose academic achievement demonstrates this.
Health Economists are in high demand. Read more about the area and prospects in Career Opportunities in Health Economics.
Applied Finance graduates are well qualified for employment in finance and banking, both in Australia and internationally, and have excellent career prospects in specialist financial institutions, treasury and finance departments of large private companies, security and currency trading, portfolio management, and general financial and investment advising.
Visit the Macquarie University Career Development Office for access to more information on economics careers from this site and others that provide industry career profiles. Also on the site is useful career planning and job application information, resume advice, interview strategies, information on assessment centres and psychometice / aptitude tests, and schedules of workshops provided by the University and large employers.
Of great importance to second last year and final year students is the graduate recruitment section which outlines graduate recruitment programs, the graduate recruitment process, what employers seek and how to market yourself.
Contact the Career Development Office staff for more information or advice.
