Economist

If you are wondering how to become an economist, below are tips and advice on training for and beginning careers in this area of finance and banking, as well as financial services job prospects in the UK.

The Job Description
Economists use knowledge of economic theory to advise government departments, businesses, banks and other organisations. Economists’ research helps governments to develop economic policies and businesses to plan financial strategies.

As an economist, your work might vary according to whether you work in the government or business sector.

Typical responsibilities:

researching information from computer databases, journals, the press and other professionals
monitoring past and present economic issues and trends
creating mathematical models to predict future economic developments
analysing statistics
producing reports and presenting findings to their employer or client
writing reports for the press
examining how effective current policies are
advising on the economic impact of alternative ideas.
In some jobs you may also be involved in university teaching or research.

Person Specification
The key personal attributes of good economists include:

an excellent understanding of business and economic theory
good research skills
the ability to analyse complex information and statistics
good mathematical and computer skills
good communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues to non-economists
report writing skills
organisational ability, for working on several projects at once
the ability to build good working relationships with a range of professionals.

How to become an economist
To work as an economist you will usually need a good degree in economics or a related subject. Some employers may prefer you to have a postgraduate Masters degree in economics as well as a first degree.

To become an assistant economist in the Government Economic Service you must have at least a class 2:1 degree in economics, or a degree that included at least 50% economics.

Other employers may accept degrees in related subjects, such as:

maths
statistics
business studies
finance and accounting.
To start an economics-based degree course, you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C), plus two A levels including maths or economics. You should check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

You will find it helpful to have work experience in business, accountancy or finance.

Training and Development
You will usually develop your knowledge on the job, learning from more senior economists. Your employer may also provide training in skills like report writing, presentations and using specialist statistical computer software.

If you join the Government Economic Service (GES) as an assistant economist, you will be trained through a structured fast-track development programme. You are likely to progress from assistant economist to economic adviser after three to four years. See the GES website for more information.

You may also be able to study for a postgraduate qualification that is relevant to your employer’s work. Your employer may provide funding towards this.

You may find it useful to join the Royal Economic Society or the Society of Business Economists, for professional development and networking opportunities.

The Pay (a rough guide)
Starting salaries are usually around £25,000 a year.
Government economic advisers with three years’ experience earn between £35,000 and £45,000.
Senior economists may earn between £60,000 and £80,000 a year.
Private companies may offer higher salaries than public sector or government organisations.

Job Prospects
Most economists in the UK work for the GES – there are around 500 in around 30 government departments, mainly based in London. Other employers include:

financial institutions such as the Bank of England
commercial banks, investment and insurance companies
management and economic consultancies
international organisations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund or European Union
trade unions
media and publishing
university teaching and research.
Government departments usually offer a clearly-defined promotion structure, whilst in private companies you may need to change employers to progress. With experience, you could also become a self-employed independent consultant or researcher.

Useful banking and financial services resources:
Society of Business Economists
Dean House
Vernham Dean
Andover
Hants
SP11 0JZ
http://www.sbe-members.org

Recent Articles

Related Stories