Economics, Finance, and Real Estate Career Map

Awareness

First Year

• Understand that economics and finance are interrelated disciplines dealing with the allocation of capital and scarce resources.
• Recognize that all majors must complete core business courses, including Principles of Microeconomics (ECO 215) and Macroeconomics (ECO 216).
• Learn about the "Freshman Core," which includes Introduction to Business and Management (BUS 150) to orient you to the Mitchell College of Business.
• Develop an awareness of the global nature of modern business through introductory courses that stress national income accounting and monetary policy.

Middle Years

• Identify your specific track by choosing a concentration in Economics, Finance, or Real Estate.
• Awareness of the specialized "Restricted Electives" that allow you to tailor your degree to interests like Labor Economics, Public Finance, or International Economics.
• Recognize the importance of the technology and quantitative requirements, such as Introduction to Econometrics (ECO 453) and Money Markets (FIN 343).
• Understand that the Finance track includes specialized study in Multinational Finance and Financial Statement Analysis.
  

Last Year

• Recognize the Business Policy Capstone (MGT 485) as the final requirement for synthesizing business strategies.
• Stay informed about the "Student Managed Investment Fund" (FIN 425/426), where students gain real-world experience managing actual financial assets.
• Understand the requirements for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program if you wish to further your expertise in management or finance.

Exploration

First Year

• Explore the different subfields of business by attending departmental events and interacting with faculty in the Mitchell College of Business.
• Utilize the Mitchell College of Business academic advising guides to map out a four-year graduation plan.

Middle Years

• Investigate regional and national internship opportunities through Accelerate South or Mitchell College’s internal career resources.
• Explore the "Real Estate" sector by researching specialized roles in appraisal, mortgage lending, and property management.
• Attend guest lectures from local business leaders to learn about the "day-in-the-life" of financial analysts and economists.
  

Last Year

• Network with alumni who have gone into diverse fields like wealth management, insurance, and government administration.
• Research career paths in "FinTech" or "Financial Engineering" to see how technology is transforming the industry.
• Utilize the Mitchell College's "Professional Preparation" courses (BUS 301/302) to refine your career search strategy.

Preparation

First Year

• Build a strong foundation in mathematics and statistics, as these are critical for the quantitative nature of economics and finance.
• Create a LinkedIn profile and start connecting with USA alumni in the Mitchell College of Business network.
• Maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to stay in good standing within the major.
  

Middle Years

• Master the use of financial tools and software used for security analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Secure an internship (e.g., ECO 496, FIN 496) to gain hands-on experience and professional credits.
• Practice financial modeling and data analysis, which are core skills for nearly all entry-level business roles.
  

Last Year

• Prepare for professional certifications such as the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or Real Estate License if applicable to your track.
• Finalize your resume to highlight technical proficiencies in econometrics, valuation, and financial statement analysis.
• Participate in mock interviews through the Mitchell College of Business career services.