Economist
What the work is
Researches and analyses the production and distribution of goods and services, and people's spending and financial behaviour. Uses this information to predict trends, develop theories, and provide advice to governments and organisations on economic policy matters.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Analyses relationships between economic variables, and studies the effects of government fiscal and monetary policies, expenditure, taxation and other budgetary policies on the economy and the community
- Researches, analyses and assesses the effects of labour market programs and industry policies and programs on economic growth, welfare, education and training
- Investigates international and national economies and markets, and particular features such as industries, regions and socioeconomic groups
- Studies workplace issues such as enterprise bargaining and wage fixation, and the effect of workplace policies on productivity and economic growth
- Analyses trends and advises on economic issues such as taxation levels, prices, employment and unemployment, imports and exports, and interest and exchange rates
- Forecasts change in the economic environment for short-term budgeting, long-term planning, and investment evaluation
- Formulates recommendations, policies and plans for the economy, corporate strategies and investment
- Monitors economic data to assess and advise on the effectiveness and suitability of monetary and fiscal policies
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a council archive and a small heritage consultancy in a regional town. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A dusty box of old records turns out to hold the missing piece of a local story
- A community group trusts you with something precious and you handle it well
- A visitor finds their grandparents in a register you helped save
Hard days
- Two groups who both care about a place want opposite outcomes from your advice
- A funding deadline and a pile of slow, careful work land in the same week
- Someone wants an answer now, but the evidence only supports a maybe
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 232333, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.