Career Opportunities for Majors in Environmental & Business Economics

Introduction

The environmental and business economics program provides students with a foundation in the principles of economics, knowledge of practical economic and analytical problem-solving techniques, an ability to apply economic concepts to the analysis of public and private policy issues, and an understanding of the institutional factors underlying and influencing policy decisions. The program qualifies students for a broad spectrum of positions in business and government, or for continued study at the graduate level. The program offers four options:

Business Economics: This option emphasizes the application of economics to business management, marketing, and finance issues in the business world and with the public and private institutional framework within which businesses operate. It familiarizes students both with analytical and decision-making techniques and tools used in the business world.

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: This option emphasizes the application of economics to policy issues associated with environmental problems and the utilization of natural resources. It also considers the institutional framework within which public policy is developed. It is appropriate for those desiring employment with firms who must comply with environmental regulations or with government agencies concerned with environmental practices and policies.

Food Industry Economics: This option emphasizes the application of economics in the areas of food policy, marketing and finance in both the private and government sectors.

Food Science and Management Economics: This option, offered in cooperation with the food science curriculum, is designed for students with a strong interest in the management aspects of food science, process, production and product development.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Agricultural Broker	County Agent	Loan Specialist
Agricultural Economist	Credit Officer	Market Research Analyst
Agricultural Marketing Rep.	Customer Service Rep.	Operations Analyst
Bank Research Analyst	Economist	Pension Analyst
Commodities Trader	Environmental Lawyer	Production Superintendent
Compliance Specialist	Financial Analyst	Public Administrator
Consultant	Financial Planner	Purchasing Agent
Consumer Marketing Rep	Insurance Adjuster	Quality Control Specialist
Contract Administrator	Int'l. Trade Specialist	Sales Representative
Cost Analyst	Investment Banking Analyst	Securities Broker

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Banks	Economic Development Councils	Food Marketing Chains
Brokerage Firms	Economic Research Foundations	Import/Export Firms
Business Journals/Publishers	Educational Institutions	Insurance Companies
Chambers of Commerce	Environmental Consultants	Investment Banks
Chemical Corporations	Farm Credit Agencies	Manufacturers
Consulting Firms	Food & Beverage Companies	Market Research Firms

Government Agencies
Dept. of Agriculture	Dept. of Food & Nutrition	Environmental Protection Agency
Dept. of Energy	Dept. of Reclamation	Federal Reserve Bank
Dept. of Environmental Protection	Dept. of the Treasury	Food & Drug Administration
Dept. of Finance	Economic Research Service	Int'l. Trade Commission

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates (advanced degree information not available)

Account Administrator, Prudential Mutual Fund Services	Global Operations Analyst, KBC Financial Products
Account Service Representative, IMS Health	Int'l. Account Consultant, AT&T Corporate Headquarters
Agricultural Statistician, US Dept. of Agriculture	Investment Banker, Salomon Smith Barney, Inc.
Asst. Data Quality Analyst, IMS America, LTD	Junior Accountant, Merrill Lynch
Asst. Product Manager, L&F Products	Logistics Information Control, L'Oreal USA
Asst. Treasurer, National Westminster Bank of NJ	Manager of Planning & Analysis, Merck & Co.
Assoc. Financial Analyst, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NJ	Marketing Analyst, Merrill Lynch & Co.
Assoc. Producer, MTV Networks	Math Teacher, West New York Public Schools
Attorney, ComerFord & Callegy, LLC	Mortgage Counselor, Cendant Mortgage
Banking Center Manager, Nations Bank	Network Manager, Strategic Network Designs
Budget Analyst, California State Dept. of Finance	Operations Analyst, The Copeland Companies
Business Manager, UMDNJ	Pension Analyst, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Business Procedures Consultant, MetLife	Portfolio Manager, Merrill Lynch & Co.
Certified Financial Planner, American Express	Port Manager, Del Monte Fresh Produce
Chief Financial Officer, Elmcrest Psychiatric	Precious Metal Trader, Dean Witter
Client Service Manager, Information Resources	Principal Consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Compliance Analyst, American Stock Exchange	Program Manager for Electronic Commerce, Siemens Corp.
Contracts Administrator, Comprehensive Technologies	Project Manager, American Environmental Network
Credit Rep., Farm Credit of South Jersey	Project Manager, Oxford Health Plans
Currency Trader, Korbean Int'l Investment Corp.	Proposal Administrator/Buyer, Atlantic Research Co.
Customer Service Rep., Dean Witter Reynolds	Research Specialist, Drexel University
Customer Service Rep., Nat West Bank of NJ	Sales Coordinator, Sony Electronics
District Manager, American Express Co.	Sales Representative, La Haye Labs
Environmental Claims Specialist, Crum & Forster	Sales Representative, The Reebok Foundation
Envir. Health Insp., Sussex County Dept. of Public Health	Securities Consultant, Price Waterhouse, LLP
Envir. Health Specialist, Middlesex County Health Dept.	Stock Broker, Hibbard Brown & Co.
Financial Analyst, AT&T Corporate Headquarters	Teacher/Football Coach, DePaul High School/Wayne
Financial Systems Administrator, Lucent Technologies	Technical Assistant, New Jersey Network
Food Industry Analyst, Food Institute	Titles Product Manager, Royal Consumer Business Products

Graduate Schools Attended

Columbia Teachers College, M.Ed.	Rutgers University, MS, Agricultural Economics
Ohio State University, MBA, Marketing	St. Johns University, MBA

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.

Still Have Questions? Ask a Career Counselor.