Department of Economics
The Bloomberg Terminal is a computer system for real-time financial data analysis, trading, and news. The Terminal is available for use on the first floor of Schaffer Library. Union College is one of the few liberal arts colleges with the Bloomberg Terminal.
Union Financial Network and Finance Bootcamp in New York City
The Union Financial Network connects Union students who are interested in careers in finance with Union alumni, parents, and friends working in a broad range of finance areas, including investment and commercial banking, hedge funds, asset management, trading, corporate finance, private equity, venture capital, real estate development, and related fields. These connections occur through mentoring, alumni career panels, a speaker series, internships, and an intensive two-week finance boot camp.
SparkLab is an entrepreneurship program designed to help students gain the knowledge needed to bring a business idea to market. Participants are mentored by alumni, parents, and service providers who facilitate basic business principles and entrepreneurship frameworks on how to launch a new venture, hone presentation skills, and more - all while competing for a chance to earn start-up capital.
Economics majors have the opportunity to participate in an international exchange program at the IESEG School of Management in Lille, France, during the winter term. Other Study Abroad programs popular among economics majors include England (London) or Australia (Sydney) in alternate years during the winter term and England (University of York) during the fall term.
Portfolio Management Practicum
Students in this course manage a portion of Union College’s endowment known as the Student Investment Fund (SIF). The students are responsible for monitoring the fund’s performance, asset allocation, security selection, and governance. Student presentations make up most of the course. These include portfolio performance reviews, investment pitches, divestment pitches, industry research reports, and recommendations on voting shares owned by the fund. Students will work in teams with more senior students mentoring their junior peers. At the end of each year, the students produce a report on the fund’s performance, management, and governance.
Majors and Minors popular among Economics Majors
