Find a Job You Really Want In
Recently, we’ve given some insights here with posts highlighting the Most Common Jobs for Economics Majors, and even the Best Jobs for Economics Majors—but what if a mere desk job is not your style?
What if you’re destined to be… a celebrity?
Yes, we know, Econ Major doesn’t exactly scream movie star. But you might be surprised as to which celebrities actually did get a degree in Economics; widely considered one of the hardest programs in which to earn a degree.
1. Lionel Richie
Oh, Hello—it looks like this famous singer/songwriter’s college Endless Love was Truly mastering Economics at Tuskegee University. We’re sure it wasn’t Easy.
2. Bill Belichick
This NFL Head Coach for the Patriots was a start player in the Economics game at Wesleyan University.
3. Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Fun fact! The Governator (and body builder, pretty much do-it-all-er) majored in Economics at the University of Wisconsin! And you thought he was just an action star…
4. Bob Barker
Really. Who better to be the famous host of The Price is Right than a former Econ Major? No one! Correct! The price is right!
5. Roger Goodell
This “most powerful man in sports,” is no stranger to your T.V. screens, we’re sure, and he started out studying Econ at Washington and Jefferson.
Ben Stein, Actor/political speechwriter (Columbia University)
6. Cate Blanchett
Who knew that this Oscar-winner and most beautiful of Elves studied Economics at Melbourne University?!
7. Paul Newman,
Cool Hand Luke himself studied Economics at Kenyon College back in the day—maybe this is why he had such a flare for his own business?
8. Donald Trump
Okay, for real. Is anyone surprised by this? I mean—Real Estate, T.V. Mogul, politician—like him or not, the guy knows money.
9. Young M.C.
Before this singer ever Bust(ed) a Move, he was studying Economics at the University of Southern California.
10. Ronald Reagan
Reagan, A.K.A. Dutch, A.K.A. “The Great Communicator,” and, you know, a former President, started out studying Economics at Eureka College.
11. Steve Ballmer
How do you climb to the top at Microsoft? Well this CEO studied Econ at Harvard.
12. John Elway
This NFL quarterback didn’t always just play football; he graduated with a degree in Economics from Stanford.
13. Sandra Day-O’Connor
No surprise here—this intelligent member of the U.S. Supreme Court of Justice US Supreme Court Justice graduated from Stanford after studying Economics.
14. Meg Whitman
Who, you ask? Why, only the very CEO of Ebay Technologies, and one of the wealthiest women in business. She went to Princeton for her Econ degree. No big deal.
15. Kofi Annan
The Secretary General of the United Nations studied Economics at Macalester College before movin’ on up to her current position.
16. Danny Glover
Known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon movies, among other things, this actor started out on a very different track—studying Economics at the University of San Francisco.
17. Lara Dutta
If you ever thought Beauty Queens weren’t smart—well, maybe you’re right sometimes. But this Miss Universe (from 2000) graduated from Bombay University with a degree in Economics.
18. Warren Buffett
Yes, yes, this comes as no surprise. After all, Warren Buffet is the go-to Financier. He got his Master’s in Economics from Columbia School of Business.
19. Barbara Boxer
This US Senator studied Economics at Brooklyn College.
20. Ivanka Trump
Like father like daughter. This businesswoman, former model, and yes, daughter of The Donald, once upon a time studied Economics. Clearly, it’s paid off.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
