Are you a critical thinker who enjoys using different approaches to solve real-world problems? Can you see yourself evaluating public policy or helping organizations make informed decisions? Or maybe you’re passionate about starting your own company. The field of economics and business may be a good fit for you.
Academic Majors and Minors
Here are some of the majors and minors available in this field of study:
Most Popular Majors
- Business Economics
- Economics
Intriguing Minors
- Accounting
- Asian Languages
- Entrepreneurship
What do you have access to when studying economics and business at UCLA? The city with the second largest economy of any US metro area (USA Today, 2020). And if California were its own nation, the fifth largest economy in the world (Forbes, 2021).
Noteworthy Faculty
Here are just a few of the many professors in this field of study who’ve had a remarkable impact in their area of expertise.
Andrew Atkeson
Atkeson’s awards include eight National Science Foundation grants. His research interests are macroeconomics and international economics, and he is the director of UCLA’s undergraduate business economics program.
Pablo Fajgelbaum
A 2017 Sloan Fellow, Fajgelbaum has also received grants from the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture. He enjoys teaching international trade theory at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Kathleen McGarry
McGarry, who served as a senior economist at the White House, focuses her research on the financial aspects of aging, including issues related to health insurance and transfers of resources within families.
Notable Alumni
Bruins have achieved great heights in all walks of life — health, sports, entertainment, public service, science and technology, and arts and letters. Here are some alumni in this field of study who have had a noticeable impact on the world.
Guy Kawasaki
Apple software evangelist who ignited a creative revolution in personal computing
Brian Lee
Created LegalZoom in 2000, ShoeDazzle in 2009 and The Honest Company in 2012
Rosie O’Neill
Co-founder and chief creative officer of Sugarfina, the fastest-growing confections brand globally since it started in 2012
Growth Careers in the Field
Here are a few examples of areas where this exciting field of study is growing and developing.
Actuaries
This field is expected to grow 20% by 2028. Companies are expected to have a growing need for actuaries to develop, price and evaluate a variety of insurance products and calculate the cost of new risks.
Financial Managers
As the economy grows, services provided by financial managers, such as planning, directing and coordinating investments, and specialties within the field should be in high demand, leading the field to expand 17% by 2031.
Management Analysts
Organizations continue to look for ways to improve efficiency and control costs. The demand for this occupation is expected to grow 11% by 2031.
Related Careers
Below, find examples of additional careers related to this field of study:
- Account Executive
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Business Manager
- Cost Estimator
- Financial Consultant
- Insurer
- Merchandise Manager/Buyer
- Personal Financial Advisor
- Stockbroker
Testimonials
Bruin Development Academy gave me the resources to navigate a career in consulting. I was able to network with various alumni/professionals across a variety of established firms that gave insight into the career path.
See What This Field is Like at UCLA
Institutes and Research
UCLA offers many resources for deepening your knowledge in your chosen field, including hundreds of research centers, institutes and labs that encourage collaboration across disciplines. Here are a few of the many options in this area:
Startup UCLA
Through the Blackstone LaunchPad at UCLA and the Summer Accelerator, Startup UCLA provides a community in which students and alumni can develop and launch their ideas under the guidance of top entrepreneurs, investors and skill experts.
Von Gremp Workshop in Economic and Entrepreneurial History
With the establishment of the Von Gremp Workshop, UCLA joined a small number of leading universities with regular workshops in economic and entrepreneurial history.
UCLA Center for Economic History
The center seeks to understand the long-run trends that have led to current public challenges, including social security and pensions, immigration, economic and financial development and technological innovation.
UCLA Social Enterprise Academy
Since 2011, this award-winning program has helped over 40 local nonprofits by connecting them with undergrads who can help them identify earned-income opportunities. Training is led by UCLA faculty, alumni and industry professionals from the Academies of Social Entrepreneurship.