Starting Point: Exploring Economics and Politics Careers
At 17, you’re already asking the kinds of questions that shape entire careers: what jobs actually use economics and politics, and which of them pay well? It’s a smart place to start—but it can feel overwhelming when advice is vague, or worse, when you don’t feel comfortable asking the people who are supposed to guide you. The good news is that there are clear, well-trodden paths into high-paying careers that blend economics, policy, and global affairs—and you don’t need insider connections to understand them.
This article breaks down where degrees like economics or politics can realistically take you, whether industries like investment banking (IB) and consulting are accessible, and what other high-paying roles might better match your interests. By the end, you’ll have a clearer map of your options and how to start moving toward them.
Finance and Consulting: The Classic High-Paying Routes
Two of the most commonly discussed high-paying career paths for economics students are investment banking and management consulting. Both recruit heavily from top universities like LSE, but they’re not limited to just a handful of institutions.
Investment banking focuses on raising capital, advising companies on mergers and acquisitions, and working in financial markets. It’s intense, competitive, and known for long hours—but also for very high starting salaries. Economics is directly relevant here because you’ll use financial modeling, market analysis, and macroeconomic understanding regularly.
Management consulting, on the other hand, is broader. Consultants help organizations solve problems—anything from improving efficiency to entering new markets. This is where economics and politics often intersect. For example, a consulting project might involve analyzing how government regulations affect a company’s strategy or advising a public-sector client on economic policy implementation.
Yes, both industries do hire students straight out of university. However, they look for a mix of strong academics, internships, and problem-solving ability—not just your degree subject. Many successful applicants studied economics, politics, or a combination like PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics).
A useful visual here would be a comparison chart showing investment banking vs. consulting in terms of salary, hours, and skill focus.
Where Economics and Politics Intersect in Practice
If you’re specifically interested in combining economics and politics, there are several career paths that go beyond the typical finance route.
Economic consulting is one of the most direct fits. Firms like NERA, Oxera, and Frontier Economics analyze competition, regulation, and market behavior—often working with governments or in legal cases. These roles require strong economic theory and often involve policy-related questions, making them a great bridge between academia and real-world impact.
Another option is working in international organizations or policy advisory roles. Institutions like the World Bank, IMF, or even government departments hire economists and political analysts. While entry-level salaries here are usually lower than banking or consulting, they can still become quite high over time—especially in senior or specialized roles.
There are also roles in political risk analysis and geopolitical consulting. These involve advising businesses on how political events—like elections, regulations, or conflicts—could impact their operations. Firms like Eurasia Group or Control Risks operate in this space.
Real-life example: a political risk analyst might assess how a change in trade policy in France could affect a multinational company’s supply chain decisions.
An infographic could work well here showing how economics and politics overlap across different industries.
Specialized Roles in Credit and Financial Analysis
You mentioned a “French credit bureau,” which likely refers to companies like Banque de France (which manages credit data) or private credit rating agencies. These roles are quite specialized but real—and they sit at the intersection of finance, regulation, and public policy.
Credit bureaus and rating agencies analyze the creditworthiness of individuals, companies, or even governments. This involves understanding both economic indicators and political stability. For example, when rating a country’s debt, analysts consider not just GDP growth but also political risks like elections or policy uncertainty.
These jobs can pay well, especially at senior levels, but they’re usually more niche and may require specific expertise or language skills (for example, working in France might require fluency in French).
A step-by-step diagram could help here, showing how data flows from economic indicators and political events into credit ratings.
Other Career Paths, Practical Steps, and Further Exploration
Beyond banking and consulting, there are several other well-paid paths that align with economics and politics.
Data and economic analysis roles are increasingly valuable. Governments, think tanks, and private firms all need people who can interpret data and make forecasts. If you combine economics with data skills (like coding or statistics), you open doors to roles in tech companies, hedge funds, or research firms.
Law is another option, especially fields like corporate law or international trade law. Many law careers intersect heavily with economic and political systems, and top firms offer very high salaries.
Finally, central banking and regulatory roles—like working at the Bank of England or the Federal Reserve—can be both intellectually rewarding and well-compensated at senior levels. These roles are deeply tied to economic policy and political decision-making.
A table comparing these careers by salary range, work-life balance, and relevance to economics/politics would be helpful here.
Start by focusing on strong academic performance, especially in subjects like economics, maths, and politics. Top employers care about grades, but they also care about how you think—so developing analytical skills is key.
Next, aim for internships early. Even short experiences can make a big difference. For example, a summer internship at a small consulting firm or a research assistant role can help you build relevant skills.
It’s also worth developing technical skills. Learning basic data analysis (Excel, Python, or R) can set you apart, especially in economics-related roles.
If you’re considering international careers, your dual UK–US citizenship is a major advantage. It gives you access to more job markets without visa barriers, which can be a big plus in competitive industries.
Finally, if you ever feel uncomfortable around a teacher or advisor, trust that instinct. You’re allowed to seek guidance elsewhere—whether that’s another teacher, online resources, or professional mentors. Your safety matters more than any advice they might offer.
A checklist-style visual could be useful here, outlining steps from school to university to first job.
There’s no single “correct” path from studying economics and politics to a high-paying career—but there are many strong options. Investment banking and consulting are the most well-known, but economic consulting, political risk analysis, and specialized finance roles can offer equally interesting and rewarding paths.
The key is to understand what each career actually involves and to start building the skills and experiences that align with your interests. Whether you’re drawn to markets, policy, or global affairs, there’s a role out there that fits—and you’re early enough to explore them properly.
Keep asking questions, keep researching, and don’t rely on just one source of guidance. The more informed you are now, the more confident your choices will be later.
For more detailed exploration, consider looking into the following resources:
University career pages (LSE, Oxford, Cambridge) for graduate outcomes and employer lists
Prospects.ac.uk for UK-based career profiles in economics, consulting, and finance
Books like “The Undercover Economist” by Tim Harford for applied economics insights
Websites of firms like McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and NERA Economics for role descriptions and recruitment details
IMF and World Bank career pages for international policy-related roles
These sources can give you a clearer, more grounded understanding of what different careers actually look like day to day.