Demand for economics graduates continues to rise

The demand for economics graduates has never been greater with degrees offering high rates of employment and excellent salaries in a wide range of industries.

University of Queensland Economics Department head Professor Clem Tisdell said employment prospects had risen steadily over the past seven years with studies showing 99 per cent of those graduating in 1995 were either employed or involved in further study.

The University offers single, combined and parallel degrees with third-year subjects covering areas as diverse as natural resources, environmental and Asian-Pacific economics.

Students are also able to continue their studies with honours degrees or postgraduate work.

Professor Tisdell said economists could expect to be involved in a range of occupations from journalists and policymakers to marketing specialists and financial consultants.

'As good organisers and decision-makers are continually in short supply, employers recruiting graduates for either private or public enterprise, or public service, select people with potential in the skills economics studies provide,' he said.

'Economics has been described as the science of administration of scarce resources, and develops skills in these areas in depth rather than superficially.'

Professor Tisdell said the starting salary for bachelor of economics graduates was about $25,500 while honours graduates could expect about $28,500.

Contrary to popular belief, women accounted for almost half of the University's economics graduates with median starting salaries often higher than that of their male colleagues.

Professor Tisdell said most graduates found their way into private business while just over 30 per cent were employed by various government agencies and departments.

Specialised Asia-Pacific studies at the University were also giving graduates the edge when it came to the business, industrial and commercial sectors of expanding Asian markets, he said.

Professor Tisdell said many students with interests in other fields studied economics because they saw it as an important part of their understanding of markets, policies, government and vital global issues.

'Demand for trained economists is predicted to grow at a faster rate than that for most other professions and the University's courses cater for a wide range of student interests and aptitudes.,' he said.

'We offer a hands-on emphasis to equip graduates with marketable skills and tools which are in strong demand by both the public and private sector.'

He said many economists were quickly promoted to jobs in business or government in key decision-making or executive positions.

'Clearly the employment and income advantages of a bachelor of economics degree make it worth considering for many students looking for an interesting and secure future,' he said.

For more information contact the Economics Department on 07 3365 6242 or 07 3365 6570.