Share This Page
Live Support
Hot News
WoWMyCV has launched a new website CareerAdvicePack.eu dedicated to the all new 2012 Career Advice Pack written by WoWMyCV.
Tips for finding Retail/Wholesale Jobs Online Click Here
Testimonial
Just thought I's let you know, I have been looking for a job for almost a year now, Got your CV last week, sent it out Sunday, invited to interview on Monday, today, given a starting date at my new job!!! You are good!!! Thanks a lot!!! M. Krawczyk
Free CV Review
Send your CV using the box below for a free review
Contact Our Team Today
T: 01603 490-102
M: 07713 564248
E: office@wowmycv.co.uk
Follow Us On
Career Profiles Database
Important Note
WoWMyCV(UK) would like to inform all our site visitors and customers that our Career Profiles Database is a research tool for you to use to investigate your potential Career Options, WoWMyCV(UK) is NOT a Recruitment Agency and the details contained in our Career Profiles Database should NOT be read/treated as Job Advertisements.
WoWMyCV(UK) is a Professional CV/Curriculum Vitae Writing and Careers Advice company based in the UK, if you need help with a CV for the job you are researching we can help, our highly experienced consultants are expert CV Writers and are ready to help. Send your current CV to us today for a FREE CV Review and let us show you how we can help you can improve your chances of securing that next interview with a quality CV from WoWMyCV(UK).
consumer scientist
Consumer scientists, sometimes known as home economists, study the needs of people as consumers of goods and services. They often work with manufacturers giving advice on the use of goods and services, and representing consumers' views.
Consumer scientists can work in a variety roles. Their work can involve:
- food product development - working for food manufacturers or a large supermarket chain researching consumer tastes to help with the creation of new dishes and food products
- product and service development - advising on products ranging from household or leisure products to public amenities and financial services
- quality assurance - developing testing programmes to ensure products meet quality standards and legal requirements
- marketing - using market research to advise on packaging design and to plan the advertising and distribution of the product
- consumer advice - representing consumers' rights, using knowledge of specific legislation
- catering - working in hotel or restaurant management, and possibly advising schools, residential care homes or hospitals on provision of healthy meals
- journalism/the media – writing articles/creating material such as leaflets on cookery, family health or new products, or working in public relations liaising with the media
- teaching - providing advice on healthy living, often as a teacher in secondary schools or further and higher education
- working for a government department - working for bodies such as the Food Standards Agency or Trading Standards and Environmental Health departments to ensure food safety and consumer protection laws are not breached.
Hours and Environment
Working conditions vary according to the employer, but generally consumer scientists will work between 36 and 40 hours a week. Evening and weekend work may be necessary.
Time will be spent reading, researching and writing reports.
Skills and Interests
As a consumer scientist, you should:
- be interested in helping people and communities
- be friendly and approachable
- have strong communication skills
- be able to multi-task
- have an interest in and a knowledge of food
- be practical and able to relate knowledge to everyday situations
- have good analytical and problem solving skills
- have basic computer skills.
Entry
To work in consumer science you will usually need a degree or BTEC HND. The Institute of Consumer Science (ICS) hold a list of approved courses; check their website for details.
Relevant degree subjects include applied consumer studies/science, consumer product management, and food and consumer management. The course you choose will reflect a specific aspect of consumer science, however, all ICS approved courses will consider the development and provision of consumer goods and services, and the relationship between the consumer and producer.
Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
If you do not have a relevant degree you may be able to get into this field with experience in food manufacturing.
Training
Once in employment, the training you receive will depend on the job role you choose. In-house practical training is often provided by employers.
There are additional courses and qualifications in many specialist areas within consumer science. Postgraduate courses are available in education, health promotion, social policy, business, marketing, and journalism.
NVQ/SVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 are available in Food Processing and Cooking, or Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations.
Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland
Opportunities
Consumer scientists can work for manufacturers, retail chains, public relations and marketing agencies, hotels and restaurants, local authorities and advisory organisations, pressure groups and research bodies, educational institutions, in journalism, and for utility companies.
With such a wide range of possible employers, consumer scientists can move from one organisation to another and have the opportunity to progress into management in most areas. It may be necessary to relocate to take up these opportunities.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
A graduate in consumer science can earn between £17,000 and £22,500 a year.
With experience, earnings can rise to around £30,000.
In senior management positions the salary can increase to around £50,000 a year.
Further information
2 Innovation Close
York
YO10 5ZF
Tel: 0845 644 0448
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6NH
Tel: 020 7276 8000
52 Blucher Street
Birmingham
B1 1QU
Tel: 0121 616 5188
Back To Catering Services Careers
Further Help and Advice
WoWMyCV(UK) can offer further help and advice on any Career path held in our Career Profiles Database, our help and advice centres on Preparing a CV, Interview Techniques and Suitability for a specific Career if you need any further help please feel free to call us on 01603 490-102 or drop us an email to office@wowmycv.co.uk where a member of our expert team will be on hand to help.
WoWMyCV(UK) have written a brand new series of documents specially designed to help you succeed in gaining that new job, to find out more about our professionaly written series of guides visit our Career Advice Pack page by clicking HERE.
Don't forget about our FREE CV Review Service, any visitor to the WoWMyCV(UK) website can claim their 100% FREE CV Review in two easy steps, Click Here for further information
Site Disclaimer
The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice