Human ecology studies the relationship between people and their surroundings and circumstances. Students in human ecology schools and departments major in fields involving health, finance, consumer behavior and design. Graduates apply imagination and knowledge to improve physical, financial, emotional and environmental wellness and productivity in the workplace and home.
Human ecology programs award degrees in nutrition science or dietetics. These degree holders pursue careers as nutritionists or dietitians to develop proper diets for individuals, often with specific health conditions. For example, they may develop low-carbohydrate or low sugar menus for diabetics or low-salt selections for those with high-blood pressure. Nursing homes and spas employ nutritionists to form meal plans, which often must be tailored to the resident, patron or patient. Dietetics or nutritional science degrees are also springboards to employment with food makers or agencies that fight hunger, and even to careers as doctors or dentists. Depending on the state, dietitians or nutritionists must be certified or registered as dietitians.
Protecting Your Wallet
Consumer and personal finance majors are prepared to protect consumers and guide individuals and families in managing money. Financial planners recommend stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other financial products for clients to meet wealth, savings and tax reduction goals; licenses are prerequisites for jobs involving the direct sale and purchase of securities and insurance. Consumer credit counselors analyze clients’ bills, expenses and income and work with creditors to reduce debt. Consumer affairs degrees can lead to jobs in governmental agencies devoted to consumer protection; some graduates further their education in law school to become attorneys for consumer protection groups or regulators or to work in private practice.
For Home and Office
Interior design draws upon elements of decorating, architecture, environmental science and construction to develop aesthetically-pleasing, functional and environmental-friendly spaces. Designers coordinate colors, fabrics and textures in selecting furniture, rugs and other items. Property owners and businesses rely on interior designers to create work spaces and reduce obstructions that may cause injuries and to make their places more accessible -- especially to disabled patrons. Lighting designers find work on stage productions or in museums and art galleries and contribute to saving energy. Interior design majors also find jobs with furniture and home décor retailers and historic preservation societies.
Fashion for All
Fashion design majors prepare for an industry that creates clothes and accessories for a vast array of occasions, weather, settings and customer needs. Designers and fashion buyers draw upon the market for various styles, brands and goods and their exposure to certain cultures or issues. The design process involves selecting the colors, textiles or fabric and, for shoes or accessories, materials such as leather; computer software may assist designers with modeling clothes for fit and appearance. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately one in five fashion designers were self-employed in 2010, often operating under their own names or labels.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dietitians and Nutritionists -- What They Do
- University of Wisconsin - Madison: School of Human Ecology: Consumer Science Majors
- Cornell University: College of Human Ecology: BS Interior Design
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Interior Designers -- What They Do
- University of Wisconsin -- Madison: School of Human Ecology: Textile & Apparel Design
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fashion Designers -- What They Do
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Personal Financial Advisors -- What They Do
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fashion Designers -- Work Environment
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