Home economists’ focal point of attention is on the enhancement of the welfare and comfort of individuals, families and society. The prime areas in home economics are food and nutrition, clothing, housing, resource management, family interaction and consumer behavior.
The comfort and well-being of the family and the products, services, and practices that affect them are the concern of home economists. Some have a broad knowledge of the whole professional field, while others specialize in consumer affairs, housing, home management, home furnishings and equipment, food and nutrition, clothing and textiles, or child development and family relations.
Many home economists teach. Those who teach in secondary schools provide instruction in foods and nutrition, child development, clothing selection and care, sewing, consumer education, and other homemaking subjects. Others teach in adult education programs and present material on improving family relations and homemaking skills; some teach the handicapped and the disadvantaged. College teachers often combine research and teaching duties.
Home economists who are employed by private business firms and trade associations do research, test products, and prepare advertising and instructional materials. Some study consumer needs and advise manufacturers on products to fill those needs.
The federal government employs home economists in the U.S. Department of Agriculture to research the buying and spending habits of families in all socio-economic groups and to develop budget guides for them. Federal, state, and local governments, as well as private agencies, employ home economists in social welfare programs to instruct clients in homemaking skills and family living.
Some home economists work as cooperative extension service agents and provide adult education programs for rural communities and farmers. They also provide youth programs and train and supervise volunteer leaders for these programs. Most home economists are women, although a growing number of men have entered the field in recent years.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
A 40-hour workweek is the norm in this field, but those in teaching positions usually work some evening hours.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Leadership, poise, communication skills, the ability to work with people of many cultures and levels of income, and an interest in the welfare of the family are necessary for this work.
High school courses should include English, home economics, health, mathematics, chemistry, and the social sciences. Part-time or summer jobs in children's camps or day nurseries may provide valuable experience.
A bachelor's degree in home economics qualifies graduates for most entry-level positions. A master's degree or Ph.D. is required for college teaching, some research and supervisory positions, extension service specialists, and most jobs in nutrition.
Students who intend to teach at the secondary level must complete courses required for teaching certification. Those who intend to specialize in a particular area of home economics need the appropriate advanced courses: chemistry and nutrition for work in foods and nutrition; science and statistics for research work; journalism for advertising and public relations; art and design for clothing and textiles.
Potential and Advancement
Job competition for home economics teachers will be stiff through the year. There will be many more qualified home economics teachers than openings. The best opportunities will be for college-level and adult education teachers and for those who work with the disabled.
Concern over product quality and environmental issues will bring about a slight increase in job opportunities for home economists who work in research. The best jobs will go to those with advanced degrees or experience.
Home economics teachers advance by becoming head of the home economics department in their school or by overseeing the home economics program of an entire school system. Research home economists advance by becoming the head of a department or team. They can also become administrators or executives in government agencies.
Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for home economics teachers in 2015 was $64,950.
Related Jobs
Agricultural cooperative extension service worker, dietician, Child Development and Guidance, Leadership Development, Family Living and Parenting Education, Interior Design, Furnishings, and Maintenance, Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and Merchandising, Food Science, Dietetics and Nutrition
