Career Opportunities in Home Economics
This implies the various job opportunities available to individuals who study Home Economics. It can be a wage employment where someone is paid certain amount of money by his or her employer. it can also be in self-employment where one manages his or her own business and makes profit from it.
There are many jobs available to youths and adults who want to make a career in the field of Home Economics. These jobs are available in the three major areas of Home Economics such as Food and Nutrition; Clothing, and Textile; and Home Management.
Careers in Home Management
a. Teaching: This career is available in primary and secondary schools, colleges of education, polytechnics, universities and adult education centres.
b. Extension worker: This career is available in health centres or hospitals, and in agriculture, especially for women in agricultural business.
c. Adult educator: This career is available in rural development for women.
d. Laundry specialist: This is available in health centres, homes and government establishments.
e. Facility manager: This career is available in hotels, schools, government guest houses and aviation industry.
f. Department storeman: This is available in supermarkets, warehouses and cooperatives.
g. Housekeeper: This is available in hotels, guest houses and institutions with boarding or hostel facilities.
h. Interior decorator: One can be self-employed and provide services for government establishments, hotels, guest houses and special homes.
i. Designer: This career is available in government establishments and companies.
j. Researcher: This career is available in higher institutions and govemment research institutes.
k. Steward: This is available in hotels and guest houses and hostels in higher institutions.
l. Home furnishing specialist: This is available in government establishments and companies; also self-employment.
m. Receptionist: This is available in hotels, guest houses and in institutions.
n. Nurse and carers: This is available in hospitals, day-care centres, clinics and rehabilitation centres.
o. Hairdressing: This career is available in industries and in self-employment (hair dressing and barbing salons).
Careers in Food and Nutrition
a. Teaching: This is available in schools, i.e., colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.
b. Dietician: This career is available in hospitals, clinics and maternity homes.
c. Catering: This career is available in hotels, guest houses and restaurants.
d. Restaurant manager: This career is available in restaurants and supermarkets.
e. Food steward: This career is available in hotels, guest houses, aviation industries, restaurants and companies.
f. Cooks: This is available in hotels, guest houses and restaurants.
g. Baker: This is available in hotels, companies, restaurants and industries. Also as self employment.
h. Community nutritionist: This career is available in rural health centres, government establishments and companies.
i. Researcher: This is available in higher institutions and government research institute.
j. Bar service: This career is available in hotels, restaurants and guest houses.
k. Food marketer: This is available in cooperatives, market associations, companies or industries.
Careers in Clothing and Textile
a. Designer: Jobs in this aspect are available in industries, companies and self-employment.
b. Fashion illustrator: This is available in Industries or companies, associations and self-employment.
c. Pattern maker: This career is available in industries or companies, associations and self-employment.
d. Stylist: This is available in companies, supermarkets, industries and organizations.
e. Teaching: This career is available in primary and secondary schools, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.
f. Researcher: This is available in higher institutions, companies, industries and government research institutes.
g. Adult educator: This is availabie in govenvnent establishments, non-governmental organisations and companies.
h. Garment maker: This career is available in industries, companies, supermarkets and self-employment.
i. Embroidery maker: This is available in industries, companies, supermarkets and self-employment.
j. Cloth marketer: This is availabie in industries, supermarkets and self-employment.
h. Modelling: This is available in the fashion industry, supermarkets, companies and self-ernployment
Requirements for employment in careers in Home Economics
Each job in any aspect of Home Economics has its characteristics. It has some knowledge, skills and attitudes, which individuals looking for job in that aspect must acquire to a certain level before she can be employed.
Without these knowledge, skills and attitudes about the job, individuals can not perform well if employed. Therefore, each job requires special training to acquire skills and attitudes before one can fit into it.
Those looking for jobs in Home Management must be well trained to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes in home management to make them fit into the level of performance expected of them.
The same is also required for jobs in Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textile. Knowledge, skills and attitudes could be acquired and arranged based on the point of entry into a particular job.