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Please note that sample four year plans are examples. Students, in consultation with their advisor, will discuss an individualized degree plan reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Actual sequences will vary based on course availability, need for developmental coursework, and student preference. For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog at .

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

Note: The economics major requires a minimum of 36-39 credits in economics at the 200 level or above.

Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence

The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.

Cultivate

Explore your major and related occupations

Year 1

• Explore the profession through the Hood College economics website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.
• Visit the and the websites.
• Take the to learn more about additional areas of career interest.
• Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume.

Year 2

• Make an appointment through to meet with a Career Counselor to update your resume and consider locations for a business or economics specific internship.
• Explore club and engagement opportunities such as the business organizations Enactus or The Blazing Alpha Fund. Learn more about campus clubs and organizations through .

Year 3

• Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either your major or employment.
• Enroll in ECON 399 to gain insight into finding an internship, to gain work experience and college credit.
• Meet with counselors in the Career Center to identify potential internships and consider competitive national experiences.

Year 4

• Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either internship or employment.
• If you have not already completed, take ECON 399, or a second internship experience, to gain additional work experience and/or college credit

Engage

Locally and Globally

Year 1

• Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn more about not-for-profit agencies that provide low or no-cost services to those in need.

Year 2

• Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page.
• Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the business or economics related fields. (Work with a career counselor to identify individuals).

Year 3

• Attend Chamber of Commerce industry related events. Speak with a career center counselor to learn more about these.
• Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework.
• Shadow professionals or alumni who work your field of choice.
• Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in business or economics roles. (Work with a Career Center counselor to identify individuals).

Year 4

• Schedule an appointment to learn about job interviewing and to practice interview with one or more counselors in the Career Center.
• Attend conferences of professional associations.
• Attend the Career Center’s Annual Night of Networking event to meet professionals.

Prepare

For Post-Graduation Success

Year 1

• If eligible for the Federal Work Study program, consult with a Career Counselor about opportunities relevant to your business or economics interests.

Year 2

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need business or economics interns.
• Regularly check the Handshake events page to see if there are employers of interest providing information sessions on campus.
• If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities at companies in business or economics related functions.
• Consider taking an exploratory micro-internship in your field of interest.

Year 3

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need interns.
• Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.
• Attend the Career Center’s Annual Night of Networking event to meet professionals.
• Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.

Year 4

• Meet with a career counselor to make plans for how you will conduct your job search beginning in the semester prior to your graduation.
• Discuss graduate school options with faculty in your department and a career counselor in the Career Center.
• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who are recruiting for new hires.

• Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
• Meet regularly with your academic advisor
• Work with tutors at the Writing Center
• Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships

Learn more about careers in economics:

• Specialties:
  • Micro
  • Macro
  • Financial
  • International
  • Industrial organizational
  • Demographic or labor
  • Natural resource and environmental
  • Public finance
  • Econometrics
  • Business
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Research analysis
• Forecasting
• Planning
• Consulting
• Policy advising
• Economic development
• Research firms and think tanks
• Private corporations in a variety of industries
• Consumer goods manufacturing firms
• Nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Federal government:
  • Department of labor
  • Bureau of labor statistics
  • Department of commerce
  • Bureau of economic analysis
  • Census bureau
  • Department of agriculture

Explore more career opportunities in economics: