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Economics

Research your future career - how do I do this?

Once you’ve done some general research into your career of interest, you may want to investigate your sector in a bit more detail. We’ve compiled some resources for you including useful websites, recruitment specialists and professional organisations.
 
It’s important to remember that these are more than just potential sources for vacancies; keeping informed about industry news will really help you when it comes to answering interview questions and preparing applications that stand out from the crowd.

Research your sector

Look at these journals to learn more information about the sector. Also, a lot of journals have job ads in the back for you to look at.

• Alertnet Reuters' humanitarian news site, alerting people to humanitarian emergencies across the globe
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region
• Bank of England Central bank of the UK
• Centre for Economic Policy Research Leading European research network in economics, bringing together many economists who produce applied theory and empirical work on a wide range of subjects
• Centre for Local Economic Strategies An independent think-doing organisation involved in regeneration, local economic development and local governance
• CDEC - Sussex University Sussex University's Career Development and Employment Centre - International Development section
• Global Focus Specialist information focused on development and global issues  
• Department for International Development (DfID) Has a useful glossary of development terms on its website
• Dhango Useful database of archives of non-governmental organisations
• Economics Forum and Jobs Forum for economists with ecomomist-focused blogs, resources and videos. Has job listings for economist jobs in academia, private sector, government and international organisations  
• Economicsearch Economic news and commentary
• Economics news section BBC website
• Eldis Gateway to development information - aims to share the best in development, policy, practice and research
• Experience Development A central portal bringing together comprehensive information on the many different aspects of international development. Provides up-to-date listings and links including jobs, UK NGOs, research sources, universities, statistics, news and events
• Financial Times (FT) World economics news, companies, markets, comment and analysis
• H M Treasury Economic data and tools page
• Getting into International Development Site maintained by Careers Group, University of London - gives users a comprehensive overview of the sector, the roles available, entry routes and application tips, with many links to key websites in this sector
• Inomics Job openings for economists, conference announcements, a directory and a database of research papers in economics 
• Institute of Development Studies (IDS) The IDS at the University of Sussex is a leading global organisation for research, teaching and communications on international development
• Intute - Virtual Training Suite A set of free online tutorials designed to help develop internet research skills  
• Middle East Economic Digest Middle East news, views, economic analysis
• Middle East Economic Survey Articles, news in this sector
• NGO Research Guide Search by name of NGO, by world region or by subject
• New Internationalist Magazine
• One World Latest news and views from organisations promoting human rights awareness and fighting poverty worldwide
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Group of 34 member countries, providing statistics, economics, social data, analysing and forecasting economic development, researching social changes and evolving patterns in trade
• Reliefweb Serving the information needs of the humanitarian relief community. Humanitarian job listings and lists of NGOs
• Social Market Foundation An independent cross-party think tank, developing ideas across a broad range of economic and social policy 
• Studying Economics Provides support, help and discipline based help to economics undergraduates - advice from students, graduates and lecturers
• The Business Economist Journal of The Society of Business Economists
• The Economist Journal
• WiWi Online Online research tool for students, academic staff and professionals of economics, accountancy and business
• World Service Enquiry Information and advice about volunteering or working in international development

Sources for vacancies 

• DevNetJOBS International development and consulting opportunities 
• Econ-Jobs Economist jobs in academia, private sector, government and international organisations 
• Oxford HR Executive search and selection consultants serving the international development and social enterprise sectors 
• Policy Jobs Website specialising in public policy jobs: covering research, policy making, and academic jobs in many fields including: foreign policy, economics, social policy, family policy, legal affairs and fiscal policy
• The Supply Curve Specialist job board for economist, econometrician and statistician jobs
• UNjobs United Nations (UN) current vacancies listings

Professional organisations

You may find vacancies here, but you can also use these links to increase your knowledge of your chosen job type.

• Adam Smith Institute UK innovator of free market policies. Its guiding principles are free markets and a free society. It researches practical ways to inject choice and competition into public services, extend personal freedom, reduce taxes, prune back regulation and cut government waste
• BOND British Overseas NGOs for Development. BOND is the UK membership body for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in international development - network of 358 members, ranging from large bodies with a worldwide presence to smaller, specialist organisations working in certain regions or with specific groups of people
• CBI Premier lobbying organisation for UK business on national and international issues. Working with the UK government, international legislators and policy-makers to help UK businesses compete effectively
• Demos Independent think tank. Focuses on six areas: public services; science and technology; cities and public space; arts and culture; identity and global security. Works with: policy-makers, companies, public service providers and social entrepreneurs. Demos is not linked to any party but works with politicians across political divides. Their international network provides a global perspective and enables Demos to work across borders
• Department for International Development (DfID) part of the UK Government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty
• Development Studies Association Works to connect and promote the development research community in the UK
• Directgov Site providing access to all UK government departments and public services 
• Economic Intelligence Unit Provides a constant flow of analysis and forecasts on more than 200 countries and eight key industries
• Economics Policy Institute A non-profit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy
• Government Economic Service The largest employer of professional economists in the UK with over 900 people working in 30 government departments and agencies
• Have Your Say Round-up of the week's key Parliamentary Papers, describing the background, context and likely impact. User-friendly site, with explanations of political terminology and an extensive useful links section
• Institute for Fiscal Studies Aim is to promote effective economic and social policies through rigorous analysis of their impact on individuals, families, firms and the public finances
• Institute of Economic Affairs UK free-market think tank. Goal is to explain free-market ideas by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems
• Institution for Economic Development Leading UK organisation for economic development practitioners
• New Economics Foundation (NEF) Creative UK independent think tank, combining research, advocacy training and practical action
• National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Britain's longest established independent economic research institute
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Its work covers economic and social issues from macroeconomics, to trade, education, development and science and innovation
• Overseas Development Institute (ODI) UK independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues
• Oxfam International confederation of 15 organizations working together in over 90 countries and with partners and allies around the world to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. Opportunities to get involved - jobs, volunteering
• Policy Studies Institute Undertakes and publishes research studies relevant to social, economic and industrial policy
• Royal Economic Society Professional association which promotes the encouragement of the study of economic science in academic life, government service, banking, industry and public affairs
• Social Research Association Exists to advance the conduct, development and application of social research in the UK
• Society of Business Economists Leading organisation serving business economists in the UK. The Society exists to help all those who use economics in a business environment - whether in industry, commerce, finance, consultancy or public service. Aim is to advance the use of economic analysis as a tool to support business decision-making and to enhance the standing of the professional economist working outside academia
• UN Information on all aspects of the workings of the United Nations
• UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
• World Bank A development bank which provides loans, policy advice, technical assistance and knowledge sharing services to developing countries to reduce poverty
• World Health Organisation (WHO) The WHO website has this link to NGOs working in WHO related areas