How Do I Become an International Economist?

In order to become an international economist, you will typically need to earn at least a four-year degree. You can begin early by studying economics and business in high school, in addition to satisfying foreign language requirements and other college prerequisites. The first step to achieve this type of career will typically be to select a university that offers a good program in international economics, finance, or business administration, and then earn a four-year degree. You may also want to earn an advanced degree, though it is typically possible to obtain an entry level job with only a bachelor's degree and some relevant work or intern experience. To that end, you may want to seek out internships while you are in school, or find part-time jobs that are relevant to this career path.

International economists are highly trained business professionals who are responsible for examining and analyzing financial elements such as international markets, trade policies, and currencies. They typically conduct research into those topics and other related areas, perform surveys, and use other methods to gather information that is then broken down and analyzed to establish trends and create future projections. Many companies make use of international economists in order to watch the economies of foreign countries they already do business with, or are interested in expanding to.

The first step to become an international economist is to obtain a relevant bachelor's degree in an area such as international business, finance, or economics. There are a number of topics you should focus on during your studies, including macro- and microeconomics, statistics, global economics, and econometrics. In addition to a degree, you may also want to look into available internships. Many employers like to hire graduates who have extensive intern experience, or real world job experience. Part-time jobs that can help prepare you to become an international economist typically include work such as analyzing data, conducting surveys, and preparing reports.

After you have completed your degree and internship or work experience, you will typically be ready for an entry-level position. One way to become an international economist is to take an entry-level position in a finance, marketing or research department. You may also start out as an assistant, but it is important to go to work for a company that actually employs international economists. It is sometimes necessary to move between different companies to advance from an assistant or entry level position to a job as an international economist, and many advanced positions require an additional master's degree or doctor of philosophy (PhD) in economics.