What Can I Do With a Major In Consumer Economics?
UGA Specific Information for Consumer Economics
The Consumer Economics major at The University of Georgia prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make wise decisions as consumers. Through courses in consumer economics, students learn about the roles of consumers, the roles of producers, the government in our economic system, and the decision-making process. Consumer Economics addresses questions that directly affect family economic well-being. Students study available options and how to get the most for their money in specific areas of spending, such as food, transportation, housing, and insurance.
Students learn the economic theory of a household's consumption, contributing factors and influences of an individual consumer's purchasing habits, and personal finance and how effective personal budgeting can help improve a household's economic standing. Students will discover the rights and privileges provided consumers by federal and state law, in addition to predatory practices consumers may encounter in the markets as well as how to identify and explain these practices to other individuals. Students working toward a Consumer Economics degree may also pursue the Applied Consumer Analytics, Consumer Advocacy & Policy, or Consumer & Community Needs emphasis.
A Consumer Economics major prepares students for work in a variety of fields, including government agencies, consumer organizations and corporations for careers in consumer protection; public policy; financial services; consumer research; and communication. Students who pursue the Applied Consumer Analytics emphasis will gain the analytical skills needed to transform data into practical information for use in organizational and policy decisions. Consumer and policy analysts are in demand by private, public, and non-profit organizations.
Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Consumer Economics*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
- Connect with Jessica McLeod-Waddell, your Career Consultant - click here to find information on how to schedule an appointment
- Daily Drop-In Hours: (staffed by Career Center graduate assistants and student interns)
- In-Person: Mondays – Thursdays, 11 am – 2 pm in Clark Howell Hall (2nd Floor)
- Virtual: Fridays, 11 am – 2 pm, career.uga.edu/appointments
- Consumer Economics Academic Advisor - Christie Sanders
- UGA FHCE Department - Consumer Economics
CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
- Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
- To find additional clubs and organizations, go to the Involvement Network
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations
- FACS Legislative Aide Leadership Fellows Program
- ASPIRE Clinic Internship
- Applied Consumer Analytics Emphasis
- Pre-Law Advising Office
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
Supplemental Career Research Dashboard
Additional Career Research Resources
O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.
My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.
Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.
Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.
Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.
UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.
Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance.
Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.
Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.
Employment Websites
General
- Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)
- LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!)
- Idealist (non-profit jobs)
- USAJobs (federal jobs)
Major/Career Specific
Professional Associations/Resources
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS - American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences • American Council on Consumer Interests • Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business • Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
COMPANY & SALARY RESEARCH - Career Bliss • GlassDoor • Salary.com
LINKEDIN- Join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your career interests. To search, select "groups" & type in your keywords. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined & consider joining those as well. To login, visit the LinkedIn main page.
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Consumer Economics majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Employer | Position Title(s) |
|---|---|
| Barrs Industries | Land Acquisition Specialist | Broadreach | Scuba Diving Instructor | Capgemini | Enterprise Transformation Consultant | Cardinal Health | Financial Analyst | Credigy | Data Analyst | Credit Agricole | Onboarding Associate | Cresset | Associate Wealth Advisor | DHL | Operations Supervisor | Enterprise Mobility | Management Trainee | Equifax | Rotational Sales Associate at Equifax | Georgia-Pacific LLC | Pricing Analyst | IM Global LLC | Market Research Analyst | Matthews Real Estate Investment Services | Net Lease Retail Associate | Miami Marlins | Professional Baseball Player | Morgan Stanley | Financial Planning Associate | Norfolk Southern | Assistant Manager | Prestige Staffing | Technical Recruiter | The Home Depot | Merchandise Planner Analyst | United States Coast Guard | Seaman | University of Georgia | College of Veterinary Medicine Business Office Specialist | Watson & Knox, Inc. | Producer | Watson & Knox, Inc. | Producer |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Consumer Economics majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Graduate School | Program(s) |
|---|---|
| Howard University | Law, Degree Not Specified | Kennesaw State University | Information Technology Foundations, Certificate | University of Georgia | Financial Planning, Housing, and Consumer Economics, MS | University of Georgia | Sports Management, MS | University of Georgia | Workforce Education, Master's | University of Georgia | Financial Planning, Housing, and Consumer Economics, Degree Not Specified | Valdosta State University | Accelerated Nursing, BSN |