Family and Consumer Sciences Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities for Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree
As new professionals, family and consumer sciences graduates have specific training in family systems. This special
knowledge enables them to bring a family perspective to their chosen career, regardless of the employment
sector. Family and consumer sciences graduates are guided by their life experiences, areas of interest, and the
employment environment.
Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, job applicants are often surprised to discover that employers may
focus less on an applicant’s transcript and GPA and more on the personal attributes of the applicant. Specifically,
supervisors are interested in employees who are problem solvers, relate well to other people, and have experience
or interest in that particular field. Family science undergraduates may garner their interests and experiences to
access one of the entry level positions in the employment sectors listed below.
Career Opportunities in Family and Consumer Sciences
SETTING
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Business, Consumer & Family
Employee Assistance Specialist
Resources Services Corporate Day Care Administrator
Consumer Protection Agencies
Family Financial Counseling & Planning
Family Resource Management
Food Assistance Programs
Child and Family Poverty Research
Research on Work and Families
Family Business Consultant
Community-Based Social Services
Youth Development Programs
Adoption Agencies
Foster Care Programs
Teen Pregnancy Counselor
Family Preservation Worker
Welfare Assistance for Low-Income Families
Vocational Rehabilitation & Job Training
Adult Day Care Providers
Gerontology Programs
Early Childhood Education
Day Care Centers
Head Start Programs
Montessori Schools, Child Development Consultant
Education
Public School Teaching in Family & Consumer Sciences (Certification)
University Teaching & Research in Family Sciences Departments, Family Life Education
Sexuality Education
Programs in Parish & Community Settings
Parent Educators
Family Peace & Justice Education
Children’s Museum Education
Marriage & Family Enrichment Facilitators
SETTING
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Faith-Based Organizations
Clergy
Family Mentor
Family Life Educator
Parent Educator
Youth Worker
Family Intervention
Individual & Family Therapy
Case Manager for Family Treatment Plans
Crisis & Hotline Services
Court-Mandated Parent Education Programs
Divorce Mediation
Abuse Protection Services
Drug & Alcohol Prevention Counselors
Residential Treatment Programs
Victim/Witness Support Services
Government & Public Policy
Family Policy Analyst
Advocate/Lobbyist on Behalf of Children, Women & Family Well-Being
Cooperative Extension Specialist
Military Family Support Services
Departments of Child & Family Services
Health Care & Family Wellness
Public Health Programs & Services
Hospital Family Support Professionals
Nutrition Education & Counseling
Prenatal and Maternity Services
Holistic Health Centers
Long-Term Care Administrator
Hospice Programs
International Education & Development
International Family Policy Analyst
Peace Corps and NGO Leadership
Global Family Planning Programs
Community & Sustainable Development
International Human Rights Advocacy
Immigration & Migrant Families Services
Research
Grant Proposal Writing
Academic and Government-Related Research in Family Science Content Areas
Population Studies & Demographic Research
Community-Based Research for Non-Profit Family Agencies
Program Evaluation & Assessment.
Writing & Communication
Curriculum & Resource Development in Family Life Education
Public Service Radio and TV Programming
Newspaper & Magazine Journalism on Social Issues Affecting Children and Families
Source: Family Science: National Council on Family Relations (2004). Professional Development and Career
Opportunities. Adapted from Hollinger (2002)