Family and Consumer Sciences Careers
FCS Careers
How can you use a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences?
You could combine the Family and Consumer Sciences major with a major or minor in business and be prepared for a career in consumer services—with utility companies, in product and equipment promotion, in government agencies or many other options.
If you are interested in teaching, you can combine the major with secondary licensure and be qualified to teach at the middle or high school level. Currently in North Carolina there is a drastic shortage of family and consumer sciences teachers—there are 10 job openings for every graduate in the state.
Sample career choices of recent Meredith Family and Consumer Sciences alumnae include
- teaching in middle or high school
- working as a Cooperative Extension Service Agent
- serving as a 4-H Agent
- working in marketing and promotions
- representing national companies as spokespersons.
Alumnae Profile: Mary-Katherine Pate
“I have been involved in Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) since middle school. I had a dynamic FACS teacher, Betty Grantham, who invested an incredible amount of time in. Once I saw first-hand how FACS teachers were making such a difference in young people's lives, I knew I had found my career path.
The most rewarding part of my job is the day-to-day interaction with my students…seeing them smile as they come into my class and as they leave makes me feel like I am a positive part of their school day. I often forget that I am getting paid to do what I do—I enjoy it that much!”
--Mary-Katherine Pate, ’05
Major: Family and Consumer Sciences “Meredith made me passionate about learning, and diligent about goal-setting.”
Meredith Accomplishments: Serving on the NC Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Executive Board, and a yearlong internship with the NC Department of Public Instruction.
Career: Child Development teacher and Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, Needham B. Broughton High International Baccalaureate School, Raleigh, N.C.
What’s Next: Earning a master's degree in early childhood intervention and family support at the UNC-Chapel Hill. “Doing graduate work didn't cross my mind until I began to do undergraduate research at Meredith.”
Advice to Current Students: Get involved. “Join [FACS] organizations get internship experience related to your career path, meet friends through Cornhuskin' and campus activities. Take advantage of the Meredith moments - they go by so quickly.”
Alumnae Profile: Anna Echols
“I came to Meredith College with several different interests and ideas of the kind of classes I wanted to take. Without initially declaring a major my freshmen year, I started taking different classes in various subjects of interest to me, including business, fashion merchandising, interior design, and child development.
During my sophomore year I enrolled in a Career Planning course and discovered the Family and Consumer Sciences major. The major was perfect for me; I was able to study the subjects I enjoyed, while learning how to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities.”
Anna Echols, ’06
Major: Family and Consumer Sciences, minor in communication
Why Meredith?: “I went to a private High School, where I became accustomed to a small class size, and realized that smaller classes provided the best learning environment for me. I knew Meredith could offer such an environment while other larger schools could not.”
What’s Next: Echols has recently completed course work in real estate
