Your degree in Food and Resource Economics

Skills you’ll develop

While studying Food and Resource Economics, you’re learning to use economic principles and science to address challenges related to the effective management of resources in our food system.

You’ll develop important skills that help with business management by studying food system issues, and using data and economic tools to better understand how resources are traded, transported, and marketed.

These skills may include:

• Data preparation (validation) and processing (modeling)
• Probabilistic and logical and reasoning
• Numerical computation
• Organization of data to facilitate interpretation and application
• Economic research to influence programs in food systems like agriculture
• Complex pattern recognition
• Statistical and data analysis
• Survey and experimental design
• Technical skills in statistical concepts, logic, and specialized software (SQL, R)
• Application of ethical considerations and consideration of societal implications in international development and policy making

Find career possibilities

Career opportunities vary across a range of fields including government regulatory agencies, public policy, agriculture, resource forecasting, supply chain management, business operations, data management, health and pharmaceuticals, food research and development, sustainability consulting, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

Make the most of your major

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify understanding of your values and interests.

• Departmental research opportunities
  Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.
• UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre
  Access this state-of-the-art facility which provides opportunities for dairy research and education.
• UBC Farm
  Get involved with many different opportunities in teaching and research on this 24-hectare community farm on campus.
• UBC Wine Research Centre
  Connect with this centre that brings together researchers from the Vancouver and Kelowna campuses focused on technological advancement of the wine industry in British Columbia and Canada.
• UBC Economics Student Association
  Build professional connections by joining other students who have a passion for economics and global affairs by attending events.
• UBC Environmental Policy Association
  Engage in discussion-based events geared towards environmental policy to analyze economic and political responses to climate change.
• UBC Undergraduate Research Opportunities club
  Find research opportunities, events, programs, and student competitions in life sciences.
• The Social Justice Centre
  Join fellow students seeking to find solutions to socio-economic inequalities.
• Patented Medicine Prices Review Board
  Learn how this board protects Canadians on the prices of patented medicines.
• World Health Organization
  Work with this international organization with a commitment to achieve better health for everyone.
• Agora Eats Café
  Provide affordable, healthy food choices volunteering with this student-run café within the MacMillan building.
• Summer Abroad for Faculty of Land and Food Systems
  Study overseas and immerse yourself in a new culture during the summer with a partnering university.
• NatureKids BC
  Engage BC children and their families to get outdoors to play and learn about nature.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• Agrologists Canada
• BC Agriculture Council
• BC Environmental Industry Association
• BC Institute of Agrologists
• BC Sustainable Energy Association
• BC Water and Waste Association
• Canadian Public Health Association
• Clean Energy BC
• Climate Action Network
• National Resources Defense Council
• World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations

Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Food Resource and Economics graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

More information

From your Land and Food Systems degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Land and Food Systems degree.