Information for Prospective Undergraduates
What can I do with an economics degree?
Take a look at what some of our recent (and not so recent) graduates are doing...
Andreas Adrian
Andreas graduated in 2005 with a first class degree in Financial
Economics. He applied to both Master's programs and companies in London
in order to gain an idea of the options available to Essex graduates.
Through the internet, he applied for some vacancies directly and posted
his CV on several career websites (e.g. monster.co.uk) to reach as many
potential employers as possible.
After several job interviews, he decided to accept an offer to work as
an Economic Analyst for KPMG's Transfer Pricing Division. ''I now know that the
comprehensiveness of the BSc Financial Economics programme at Essex has helped
me significantly to secure this job offer.''
As an Economic Analyst, Andreas specialises in the field of Transfer
Pricing and assists multinational clients to determine arm's length
prices for their intra-group transactions for tax purposes. "I am
excited to have been given the opportunity to apply my economic skills
to real life economic issues as well as to gain experience in dealing
with clients directly."
In 2007/08 Andreas is studying for an MPhil in Economics at the University of
Cambridge.
Mohammed N. Akhtar
Mohammed Naveed Akhtar, graduated in 2006 with a 2.1 BSc Economics degree.
He went on to Reading University's ICMA centre (the business school for
financial markets) to read for an
MSc International
Securities, Investment and
Banking, specialising in trading and asset management.
Mohammed now works as a foreign exchange trader, managing his own account.
Mohammed writes: ''My undergraduate experience at Essex was nothing short of
outstanding, supported by extremely helpful staff. Being highly knowledgeable in
their respective fields, the teachers make the economics department one
of the best in the country. The economics and finance skills I learned
at Essex provided me with a solid foundation to
successfully complete my masters degree.
With an economics degree from Essex you can really go
anywhere. Many of my friends who gained firsts and upper-seconds landed places
at top institutions such as the LSE and Oxbridge to study postgraduate
economics, showing that the degree is highly rated in the outside world.
In terms of careers, the university is also highly regarded.
But to be successful in your career you must make sure you learn a lot about
the particular career or sector. Most economics students want to go
into investment banking or accountancy. These sectors,
especially investment banking, are highly competitive — just having a
first class degree is not going to guarantee your success. You need to do your
research and keep up to date with current affairs.
Extra curricular activities are also very important, so make sure you
participate in some societies! As for me, I gained experience at a stock-broking
firm, as well as taking a look at investment banking through a
diversity event (capital chances). But, for the moment, I have decided to work
in the foreign exchange market.''
Bogdan Gogulan
Shortly before graduation in July 2005, Bogdan Gogulan accepted employment on
the
American Express Graduate Programme. He has stayed with the company since
then, working on network development, sales analytics, global sales strategy
and, most recently airline and lodging industry and deal analytics. Bogdan
writes: "Micro-economics, which I found most challenging in the University,
turned into my bread and butter "destiny is certainly not without a sense of
irony"
Bogdan continues 'The reasons I would recommend Essex are its knowledgeable and
approachable staff, and its students' diverse cultural and academic backgrounds.
People join Essex to study economics for varying reasons "an interest in the
financial sector, a desire to work for government and development agencies, or a
mission to change the world. So, for any economic issue you will find great
differences of opinion in the class, which creates a really stimulating
environment; and the faculty take an individual approach to nurture and develop
you in your area of interest, be it trading currencies, policy making, or any of
the many applications of economics.
Recently Bogdan has participated in the
One Young World Summit in London
on the 8-10 February 2010. The One Young World is the gathering of young
people from around the world. It is
sponsored by a
large number of counsellors, among them three Nobel
Peace Prize winners. The aim is to bring to the attention of the world
leaders the opinion of young people. To listen to Bogdan's presentation see the
YouTube video.
Surendran Chelliah
Surendran writes: "Economics interested me because it provided me with the tools of
analysis that allowed me to find solutions to a broad range of issues
whether in my career, or for personal planning."
"Studying economics at Essex was an enriching experience that instilled
a sense of curiosity in me to pursue the unknown.
With the strong support of the Department, I was able to grow
further through my participation in the lively students'
Economics Society."
"Having enjoyed tremendously my final year undergraduate research project,
and with the encouragement of my teachers,
I decide to pursue further study at the MSc level."
"After completing my Masters at the University of Warwick,
I accepted an appointment in the Strategy and Development Division
at the Securities Commission of Malaysia.
In 2007 I moved to Bank Negara, the Central Bank of Malaysia,
working in the Monetary Assessment and Strategy Department,
where I am able to make full use of my economics training."
Sebastian Elliot
Sebastian Elliot graduated from Essex University in 1994 with a 2.1. in
economics.
As an undergraduate, his extra-curricular pastime was to trade index
options
on the FTSE. Upon graduation Sebastian decided to study law, and became
a
barrister. Remaining interested in finance, Sebastian travelled to
New York where he became a bond trader for a commercial bank in New York
City.
During his tenure at the bank he attained an MA in Banking Law and
started an
Internet auction business that, at its peak, negotiated Internet
connectivity
rates for over 4,000 small and medium sized businesses in California.
The
company ended when the bubble burst but, Sebastian writes: "I'm glad to
say, I
can tell my grandchildren that the old man had something to do with the
California gold rush of the last century!"
Sebastian continues: "I've had a great time, grateful for my luck and
amazed with the opportunities that have come my way.
His present day-job is another trader position.
I'm currently a broker-dealer and market-maker on a fixed-income desk
in New York. I'm studying for my
'Series 7' exams, equivalent to the SFA in England. Please tell anyone wishing to be a trader to
take that exam in their own time.
I was invited to do so years ago and declined.
It undoubtedly adds to one's marketability and provides an amazing
grounding for finance.
I derive great joy from creating my own projects, less so from routine
work.
I suppose that's why I became a barrister, trader and entrepreneur.
Last year I wrote a romantic comedy screenplay called 'Roofless Love'.
I'm
still in talks with a Hollywood producer about making the movie but I
think the chances of it getting the green light are slim. Perhaps one
day I will be able to fund production myself.
Most recently, I have just launched www.skillbound.com.
This is a skill swapping social networking site. For example, you teach
someone how to play the guitar; they can teach you to Salsa dance.
It's been a lot of work, though I enjoyed it, especially now that the
website is up and running.
I'm hoping that university students will enrol on the site. There is
still
much to be done, hopefully they will be patient but with luck it can
only get
bigger.
For the past 5 years I've been building a prototype which delivers a
new means by which media planners can design TV commercials.
I have just submitted my patent application this month and
believe the company I have created, Enlighten Interactive, LLC
will be paradigm shifting."
Rebecca L. Fordham
Rebecca graduated with a first class Economics degree in 2005.
With a particular interest in microeconomics and econometrics, and
having completed a summer internship at Frontier Economics in 2004,
Rebecca already had a good idea that she wanted to pursue a career in microeconomic consultancy.
However, she also realised that in order to progress in the industry a Masters would be essential,
and therefore, planed to work for one year to obtain much needed experience and finance
before returning to University.
Rebecca gained employment as an Analyst within CRA (Charles River Associates)
International's competition practice. Here she witnesses the economic theory and
econometrics learnt in her undergraduate degree used every day! Common tasks
include: data analysis and manipulation, preliminary research on potential
clients and finding academic papers to support formulated arguments.
The experience is clearly illustrating how much she can potentially use her
economics degree in private sector employment. Rebecca is finding that
consultancy is not a nine-to-five job, with hours being long and tiring at
times, but she believes that if you really wish to use your economics degree,
then progressing in economic consultancy is an interesting and rewarding way!
Rebecca completed her master's degree at UCL in September 2007.
Krishan Gopaul
Krishan graduated in 2004 with a first class BSc Economics degree.
He currently works as a Market Data Analyst for
Barclays Global Investors (BGI) and
is studying part-time for an MSc at the LSE.
Krishan belongs to a team that specialises in the research and quality of
market data provided to BGI by external vendors, and which also
provides data solutions for internal clients.
"I am allowed a large amount
of responsibility and freedom over projects which I am given. Working
with different people, who all have different areas of expertise, has
allowed me to improve my understanding of the environment and industry
in which I am in."
Investment banking was Krishan's focus at university, but
he has found Asset Management to be just as interesting, allowing him to
see first hand how financial instruments can be used to benefit BGI's clients.
"Being highly interesting in the
financial world, I enjoy the fact that my role is focused on the
detailed goings-on in many global markets, such as corporate events,
index changes and BGI's position within these markets."
Krishan found
a number of useful recruitment websites
where he was able to post his CV for firms and recruiters to view. This
enabled him to maximize his exposure to recruiters.
"I was contacted by a number of agencies, one of which lined up an interview
with BGI and three
months later I was asked to become a permanent employee."
Having geared his degree towards finance, Krishan was able utilize
his knowledge of financial analysis to improve his effectiveness and enhance the speed
at which he learnt.
"Without my degree in Economics and the knowledge I obtained while at
Essex, I would not have been able to approach this job with the same
confidence.
My specific theoretical knowledge
in financial derivatives has led to my work managing futures within the global
market data group at BGI."
Heiko Hesse
Following his graduation in 2003 with a first class BSc in Financial Economics,
Heiko was admitted to Nuffield College, Oxford, where he successfully completed MPhil and DPhil degrees.
"I always thought of doing economics at the graduate level where I could deepen my
technical understanding, conduct my own independent research as well as specialize in
topics such as banking and monetary policy - the subject of my doctoral thesis."
Heiko's experience while a student included work as a consultant for the
World Bank,
an internship at the IMF, a summer associate with
McKinsey and a temporary research officer
for NERA Economic Consulting. He was a
visiting scholar at Yale University in 2005/06. Heiko currently works as an economist for the
Commission on Growth and Development at the World Bank,
analysing policies and strategies that underlie rapid economic growth and poverty reduction.
In September 2007 Heiko joined the IMF, working in the Global Financial
Stability Division.
"What sets the Economics Department in Essex apart is its personal attention to
students' learning experiences as well as its strong international focus.
Professors and lecturers were very approachable and always happy to give advice or answer questions.
Given the globalization of economic activities, learning economics in a diverse and
multicultural student environment was so rewarding because not
only did I learn the main economic concepts but I could also engage in discussions with fellow students from across the world."
Damien Kingsley-Tomkins
Damien graduated in 2001 with a first
class honours degree in Financial
Economics. He used the Internet to
research companies and sent his CV to
the HR department of Willis, which
secured him a month of work
experience with the company:
"I spent a month working for Willis
before I joined full time. It was a good
opportunity that was available to me
straight after graduating.'' The
permanent offer to join the company
came as a result of the work
experience."
Insurance versus accountancy
In his role as an Account Executive, Damien
specialises in Professional Indemnity Insurance.
He enjoys the day-to-day contact with his clients
who include accountants, solicitors, surveyors
and technology firms. He admits that working in
insurance doesn't necessarily have the same
immediate appeal of other industry sectors: ''Insurance is not the most exciting industry, but
then again it is more exciting than accountancy!''
Silvana Ortega Jijon
Silvana graduated in 2006 with an honours BSc Financial Economics degree.
As an undergraduate, Silvana developed skills
to assess economic, econometric and financial theories, which she applied in
her final year
dissertation exploring the effect of financial liberalization on Ecuadorian growth.
During the summer following her second year, Silvana's internship
in the Mergers and Acquisitions department
of Dresdner Kleinwort, the the investment bank, enabled her to extend her quantitative
and analytical skills.
In addition to her participation in the Economics Society at Essex,
Silvana's extra-curricular activities included serving as
the president of the Latin American Society, membership of the women's volleyball
team and participation in
several United Nations Model Simulation Games.
Silvana chose to continue her education at the LSE, completing an
MSc in Local Economic Development in 2006/07. Her master's dissertation
focuses on
the impact of property rights upon investment and credit.
This broad and quite unusual combination of finance, economics and development
has enabled Silvana to acquire skills to work in the financial sector so as to understand
current affairs in her country, Ecuador.
In September 2007 Silvana will commence work as a stock broker at
ICAP, in London.
Rebecca Springford
Shortly before she graduated in 2006, Rebecca found employment as a trainee
econometrician for a marketing consultancy. However two weeks before she was due
to join the company, Rebecca received a phone call from the
Government Economic Service (GES) inviting
her for an interview at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP),
having previously attended a GES assessment centre.
After a successful interview Rebecca started DWP in September as an Assistant Economist:
"At first I was cautious of working at DWP as my preference was to work in the Treasury or the
Department of Media and Cultural Affairs; however I'm surprised at how much I enjoy it."
Rebecca continues:
"I apply the public economics I studied at Essex, as well as the core economic principles on a daily basis.
At the moment I'm working on State Pension reform, specifically the costs of the proposed reforms published in the
Pensions Bill in November 2006.
The work is very diverse. Some days it is very technical and requires use of sophisticated modelling programs.
On another day I may be required to write a detailed written answer to a question raised in Parliament.
The work can be quite demanding and occasionally requires long hours,
but a great deal of job satisfaction comes from knowing I'm able to put my economic skills into use
where they will have maximum impact.
Working for the public sector may mean that salaries aren't as competitive as in the private sector,
but the starting pay is still generous and you get many other perks such as flexi-time,
a good pension and a relaxed working atmosphere that many of my friends in the private sector crave."