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.

Business development officer
Economic policy analyst
Employment equity policy consultant
Energy policy analyst
Environmental issues lobbyist
Environmental lobbyist
Health policy research analyst
Housing policy analyst
Immigration policy analyst
International trade economist
International trade policy manager

Labour economist
Labour policy analyst
Marketing analyst
Natural resources economist
Natural resources policy analyst
Plant protection inspector
Regional development analyst
Social policy researcher
Tax economist
Trade development director
Trade economist

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.

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.