FCS Careers Unit
Why do we study FCS? What is Family and Consumer Sciences?
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) is the comprehensive body of
skills, research, and knowledge that helps people make informed
decisions about their well being, relationships and resources to achieve
optimal quality of life. The field represents many areas including human
development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design,
food science, nutrition, and wellness, textiles and apparel, and
consumer issues.
Today’s FCS professionals practice in multiple settings. They are early
childhood, elementary, secondary, university/college, and Extension
educators, administrators and managers, human service professionals,
researchers, community volunteers, business people, and consultants
who address the issues most important to our quality of life.
Family & Consumer Sciences courses can help you:
 Learn communication skills that are required in social and human
service careers, such as teaching, social work, law enforcement
and government service.
 Prepare for careers in health or nutrition.
 Become a certified child care provider.
 Learn to manage your money.
 Prepare for a career in Culinary Arts.
 Learn to balance work and family.
 Develop skills for independent living at college or on your own.
 Learn about careers in design, home furnishing, nutrition, and
childcare
We will begin our session together by learning about Family and Consumer
Sciences careers and the world of work. Family and Consumer Sciences is not just
cooking and sewing anymore. It incorporates many careers and environments that
involve the relationships among individuals, families and communities. We will
investigate and analyze various careers in the FCS area.
Your TASK will be to select a FCS career and research that career using the
database, Career Cruising (www.CareerCruising.com. Username: Pennfield;
Password: Careers). You will be using the strategy “talking to the text” as you
read your Career Cruising information and underline important information using
different colors to represent different required topics. Your next task will be to
complete the given graphic organizer by entering the important information under
the correct headings. Information required will be educational requirements,
including the types of courses to take, salary expectations and advancement,
demand (the correlation of the number of jobs available to the number of people
applying and what new jobs are created due to growth or through vacancies), duties
or job requirements, and advantages and disadvantages of the occupations, which
you will need to establish based on your analysis of the career.
OTHER WEBSITES TO INVESTIGATE:
http://www.aafcs.org
http://www.whatdotheydo.com
http:stats.bls.gov/k12/html/edu_over.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm - great site for career info; use search
OOH search
Career Cruising
Use Google or other search engines to search Family & Consumer Sciences Careers
PROGRAM OF STUDY
CAREER PATHWAYS
Family & Community Services
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
County Extension Agent
Consumer Education/Affairs Director
Social Worker
Gerontologist
Public Health Educator
Freelance Consultant
Human Resources Director
Marriage and Family Therapist/Counselor
Family and Consumer Counselor
Consumer Advocate
Nutrition & Food Science
Food and Drug Inspector
Food Scientist
Quality Control Technician
Food Product Tester
Food Technologist
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Food Production Chemist
Applied Design-Textiles & Apparel/Housing & Interiors
Fashion Buyer/Designer
Interior Designer
Retail Sales Manager
Computer Imaging Consultant
Set Designer
Culinary Arts
Food Technician
Dietary Assistant
Chef
Food Service Director
Hospitality Manager/Director
Convention Coordinator
Caterer
Early Childhood Education
Child Care Center Director
Early Childhood Educator
Child Life Specialist/Child Psychologist
Psychologist/Psychiatrist
Elementary/Secondary School Teacher
Pediatrician
DIETETICS
The demand for dietitians is increasing in response to the expanding needs of health care
facilities, corporate wellness programs, influence of the media, and environmental concerns.
Involved in clinical practice, research, management of food service systems, food processing,
communications, sales and teaching, today’s dietitian is typically employed in:
 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
 COLLEGES AND UNVERSITIES
 COMMUNITY/GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
 CORPORATE AND SPORTS WELLNESS PROGRAMS
 FOOD COMMODITY GROUPS
 FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND PROCESSORS
 HOSPITALS AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS
 MASS MEDIA
 HEALTH SPAS
 FITNESS CENTERS
 PRIVATE PRACTICE
 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL SYSTEMS
 SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES
 STATE AND FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS
 STATE AND FEDERAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES
 PRODUCTION MANAGERS FOR MASS MEDIA
 NUTRITION THERAPY
 DIET ANAYLSIS UTILIZING TECHNOLOGICAL SOFTWARE
NUTRITION AND FITNESS
Graduates are able to evaluate, plan for, and counsel individuals in the combined areas of
nutrition and fitness, sports and diet, and nutrition and cardiac rehabilitation in a growing list of
career opportunities.
 ATHLETIC/ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
 CORPORATE FITNESS MANAGER
 DIET CENTER DIRECTOR
 FITNESS CLUB MANAGER
 EXERCISE TESTING TECHNICIAN
 FITNESS INSTRUCTOR/CONSULTANT
 HEALTH AND FITNESS ADVISOR
 NUTRITIONIST
 NUTRITION CONSULTANT/ SPECIALIST
 PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINER
 SPORTS NUTRITIONIST
FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES
Increase in demand for knowledge on food safety and nutrition offers challenging positions,
both nationally and internationally, to prevent diseases and improve health. Career paths open to
the Food and Nutrition Science major are:
 PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT









FOOD SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
FOOD SERVICE COORDINATION
FOOD EDITOR FOR MAGAZINES AND COOKBOOKS
CONSUMER RELATIONS
QUALITY CONTROL
RESEARCH
MARKETING
PRODUCTION MANAGER FOR MASS MEDIA, INCLUDING WEB CONNECTIONS
EDUCATION
HOSPITALITY
One of the fastest growing industries in the nation. Each year about 25,000 employees are
needed to fill positions within the hospitality industry.
 HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
 BED AND BREAKFAST OWNER/MANAGER
 CAMPGROUND MANAGER
 CONVENTION/MEETING MANAGER
 CRUISE LINE MANAGEMENT
 EQUIPMENT SALES
 FRONT DESK MANAGER
 RESORT/MARINA MANAGEMENT
 THEME PARK MANAGER/SPECIALIST
 DESIGNER OF SOFTWARE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY
 FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT
 CATERER
 CLUB MANAGER
 COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
 FAST FOOD RESTAURANT MANAGER
 FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER
 KITCHEN SUPERVISOR
 RESTAURANT MANAGER
 SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
 SPECIALITY FOOD MANAGER
 MILITARY FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
 TRAVEL AND TOURISM
 BUSINESS TRAVEL SPECIALIST
 CRUISE DIRECTOR
 INCENTIVE TRAVEL SPECIALIST
 TOUR BROKER/WHOLESALER
 TRAVEL JOURNALIST
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
There main design career paths typically chosen include residential, facilities and
specialized design centers for personal living environments. Facilities design concentrates on public
and work environments and special design focuses on individual design issues such as lighting and
furniture. Career options include:
 CORPORATE DESIGNER
 FACILITIES DESIGNER AND MANAGEMENT
 FURNITURE/PRODUCT DESIGNER
 HEALTH CARE DESIGNER
 INTERIOR DESIGNER
 RESIDENTIAL DESIGNER
 SPACE DESIGNER
 URBAN DESIGNER
 EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMMING
 OFFICE DESIGNER
 COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGNER
 GRAPHIC ARTIST
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCES
In high demand because of rapid changes in the life course. Careers continue to evolve.
 DIRECT SERVICE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH
 CHILD CARE (INFANTS, TODDLER AND SCHOOL-AGE)
 HOSPITAL PROGRAMS
 RECREATION PROGRAMS
 DIRECT SERVICES TO FAMILIES
 COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKER
 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORKER
 ELDER CARE
 OUTREACH WORKER
 PARENT EDUCATOR
 SUPPORT SERVICE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
 CASEWORKER: MENTAL HEALTH, YOUTH SERVICES
 CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCATE
 CHILD CARE DIRECTOR
 COMMUNITY/HUMAN SERVICE DIRECTOR OR SPECIALIST
 EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONIST
 FAMILY LIFE EDUCATOR
 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
 RETIREMENT FACILITY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
 RESEARCH ANALYST
 DIRECTOR – MEDIA RELATIONS
 POLICY ANALYST
 SYSTEMS ANALYST
 FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT
EDUCATION
In addition to ongoing teacher shortages in some geographical areas, career opportunities
in business, industry and the public sector exist for the graduate with an education degree in family
and consumer sciences.
 ATHLETIC EDUCATOR WORKING WITH:
CLINICAL AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS;
CORPORATE HEALTH PROGRAMS; HEALTH CLUBS;
INTERSCHOLASTIC/INTERCOLLEGIATE/PROFESSIONAL ATHLETIC TEAMS;
OR SPORTS MEDICAL CLINICS
 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS
 SPECIALIST/DIRECTOR; CONSUMER AFFAIRS
 DIRECTOR; COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
 HEAD START PROGRAM DIRECTOR
 AGING SERVICE DIRECTOR
 PEACE CORPS/VISTA VOLUNTEER
 PRESCHOOL TEACHER
 ELEMENTARY TEACHER
 SECONDARY TEACHER
 COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE PROFESSOR
APPAREL AND TEXTILE DESIGN
Graduates in this major find exciting career opportunities in creative and managerial
positions. Among these are:
 APPAREL/TEXTILE PRODUCTION SPECIALIST
 CAD PROFESSIONAL (COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN)
 COSTUME DESIGNER
 THEATER COSTUMING
 COSTUME HISTORY
 DISPLAY DESIGNER
 DRY CLEANING AND LAUNDERING SPECIALIST
 FASHION COORDINATOR
 FASHION DESIGNER
 FASHION ILLUSTRATOR
 FASHION JOURNALIST
 FUNCTIONAL DESIGNER
 GRAPHIC DESIGNER
 PATTERN DESIGNER/PATTERNMAKER
 PIECE GOODS/ FABRIC BUYER
 QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST
 TEXTILE DESIGNER
 TEXTILE LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
 TEXTILE PRODUCTION SPECIALIST
 TEXTILE STLYIST
APPAREL AND TEXTILE MERCHANDISING
The apparel and textile industry is one of the largest employers in the nation. The field
seeks people who have knowledge of the fast-paced fashion world and who, also, possess keen
business skills. Graduates are in high demand and have excellent advancement opportunities.
Positions include:
 CATALOG INVENTORY ANALYST
 CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER
 DEPARTMENT MANAGER
 EDUCATION DIRECTOR
 FABRIC MARKET REPORTER
 FASHION CONSULTANT
 FASHION DIRECTOR
 MERCHANDISE MANAGER
 MERCHANDISER
 PRODUCT DEVELOPER
 QUALITY ASSURANCE ANALYST
 RETAIL BUYER
 RETAIL PROMOTION
 STORE MANAGER OR OWNER
 VISUAL MERCHANDISER
 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
 FINANCIAL ANALYST
 COMPUTER SYSTEMS DESIGNER

E-COMMERCE MARKETING