Graduates of our Bachelor of Science (BS) programs are well prepared for a variety of career opportunities thanks to a strong background in analytics, policy, and applied economics that are coveted by many industries.
Both our BS in ENRE and our BS in Managerial Economics are STEM-designated degrees, creating opportunity for International Students to potentially extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) for an additional 24 months.
Employment
Environmental & Natural Resource Economics (ENRE) majors are often attracted to careers in the energy sector, sustainability, public policy, and local as well as federal government. Managerial Economics majors often gravitate toward sectors such as banking, finance, insurance, technology and real estate. No matter which degree one pursues, both majors in the Department of Resource Economics prepare students for positions such as Analyst (Account, Data, Economic, Environmental, Financial, Marketing, Project, Research, etc.), Business Development Specialist or Consultant, Economist, Manager (Account, Portfolio, Program), and more. While specific job titles may vary by company, the reality is that our students are equipped with skills to succeed in data-driven roles, whether they are leading a team, managing sales, supporting clients, forecasting trends, pitching ideas, monitoring compliance, automating HR, coordinating supply chains, or researching issues. As business and policy savvy critical thinkers, our students quickly learn that there are endless opportunities to make a mark and find job satisfaction using their degree.
Here are just a few of the places ENRE and Managerial students begin their careers:
How Much Do Our Majors Make?
Our students earn competitive wages, the mean salary of $65,932 reported for the graduating class of 2024.
What About Graduate School?
Interested students may also decide to accelerate their earnings with an advanced degree. Our department offers an excellent 4+1 MS option in Resource Economics, whereby students can earn a master’s degree in as little as one additional year. This is an excellent option for those interested in working in academia, thinktanks, or applying advanced research and quantitative methods to the industry of their choice. Some of our majors also go on to other graduate opportunities in a variety of fields, including but not limited to: Accounting, Finance, Analytics, Public Policy, Economics, Business, Law, Actuarial Sciences, Math/Statistics, Energy Management, Environmental Economics and more.
Personalized Career Support
In the Department of Resource Economics, we believe that career development is a continuous part of the undergraduate experience. Students are invited to meet with the department’s career advisor at any time to talk about interests, get connected to campus resources, enhance their resumes, and more. Students have the option to earn internship credits and will complete a required 1-credit career class (Res Econ 394LI) as part of the curriculum. Our faculty are invested in student success and helping students draw connections between classroom learning and real-world applications. Additionally, our department is situated within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. As such, our undergraduates have full access to a multitude of college-level and University-wide resources including an internship/job database, interview preparation tools, coaching, alumni connections, and more. Helpful career resources include upcoming career events, companies currently hiring, student Job board, and SBS Career Communities.