Careers
Related Skills
- Critical thinker
- Good math and computer skills
- Ability to prepare reports
- Strong oral and communication skills
- Flexible and adaptive to new ideas
- Logical thinker
- Ability to research and explain market phenomena
- Ability to collect data
- Ability to make sound predictions
Being Successful in the Field
- Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, or internship experience to enhance career path. For example, complete a finance-related internship if interested in a career in banking.
- Earn a graduate degree in economics, business, or other related fields for increased marketability.
- Choose a career focus and structure curricular and extra-curricular activities to achieve goals.
- Do informational interviewing with professionals to learn more about fields of interest.
Related Fields
Government
- Cost Analysis
- Intelligence
- Foreign Trade Analysis
- Public Administration
- Transportation Management
- Urban Planning
Employers
Government departments involved in agriculture, business, finance, labor, transportation, urban economics, and international trade including: USDA, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the United Nations, and the General Accounting Office
Strategies
- Become active in student government.
- Complete an internship in a government agency.
- Earn a graduate degree in economics, statistics, public administration,or related field for promotion and advancement.
- Become familiar with government hiring practices.
- Develop excellent computer, analytical, and quantitative skills.
Economic Market Research
- Research Analysis
- Consulting
Employers
- Market research firms
- Consumer goods manufacturing firms
- Business firms
- Consulting firms
Strategies
- Supplement curriculum with courses in business, political science, research design, survey design, statistics, and computer science.
- Earn a graduate degree to obtain advanced research and consulting positions.
- Obtain experience in business research.
- Become a student member in related professional associations.
- Get involved in student or community organizations to develop leadership skills.
Banking & Finance
- Credit Lending
- Operations
- Systems
- Trusts
- Securities: Sales, Research
Employers
- Commercial banks
- Regional banks
- Savings and loan associations
- National and regional brokerage firms
- Discount brokerage houses
Strategies
- Develop a solid background in business including finance, marketing, and accounting.
- Gain experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in financial service firms.
- Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
- Become the financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization.
- Get involved with an investments club.
- Earn an MBA for positions in investment banking.
Insurance
- Underwriting
- Sales
- Operations
- Claims
Employers
Insurance firms
Strategies
- Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Earn a business minor.
- Gain sales experience.
- Participate in campus organizations.
Healthcare
- Hospital Management
- Healthcare Analysis
Employers
- Private (LLC) corporations
- US Department of Health
- Hospitals
- Health Maintenance Organizations
Strategies
Earn a master's degree in public health or hospital administration. Gain experience in healthcare through internships.
Other Business Areas
- Management
- Buying and Purchasing
- Human Resources
- Hospitality
- Sales
Employers
- Department, grocery, drug, specialty, and variety store chains
- Hotels, resorts, and tourism councils
- Restaurants
- Large corporations
Strategies
- Gain related business experience through internships or jobs.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and flexibility.
- Secure leadership positions in campus organizations.
- Earn a business minor. Obtain sales experience.
Teaching
Employers
- Colleges and universities
- Secondary public and private schools
Strategies
- Earn a Ph.D to teach in post-secondary institutions.
- Gain research experienceby assisting a professor.
- Obtain certification for public school positions.
- Get experience working with young people.
- Develop strong public speaking skills.
Other Professions
- Bank Officer
- Bookkeeper
- Budget Coordinator
- Business Forecaster
- Business Manager
- Buyer
- City Manager
- Consultant
- Cost Analyst
- Credit and Loan worker
- Demographer
- Economist
- Entrepreneur
- Estate Planner
- Insurance Sales
- Insurance Underwriter
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Litigation Analyst
- Loan Officer
- Market Researcher
- Politician
- Public Utilities Manager
- Research Analyst
- Retail Sales Manager
- Securities Analyst
- Statistician
- Trust Officer
Career Industry Liaison
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristy DeWall | 223 Bone Student Center | ksdewal@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-2200 |
Internship Coordinator
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Chen | Stevenson Hall 426E | jchen4@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-3616 |