Home Economist
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
Home economists advise and assist consumers on the selection and proper use of food products, textiles and other consumer goods and teach household management skills. They may also provide consultative services in the areas of development and promotion of new food products, retail buying, social program administration and small business endeavors. (National Occupational Classification)
The use of the designation "Professional Home Economist" is regulated in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta, and "Registered Professional Home Economist" in British Columbia.
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- O*NET Online - detailed occupational information (U.S.)
- OCCinfo by alis - Alberta-based occupational information
- Professional Home Economist (PHEc) Stories - from the Manitoba Association of Home Economists
- What is Home Economics? - from the Manitoba Association for Home Economists
Education
Home Economics programs at universities across North America vary: they include Home Economics, Human Ecology, Family and Social/Consumer Sciences as well as Human Nutritional Sciences.
At the University of Manitoba, students interested in becoming a Professional Home Economist (PHEc) can major in Human Nutritional Sciences, Family Social Sciences (which is currently under review) or in Health Studies with specializations in either Family Health or Health Promotion and Education.
U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.
Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit U of M's faculty and department homepages to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.
- Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
- Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences (This degree may also lead to a career as a Nutritionist or Dietitian)
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Exploring Other Education Options
- Search UofM Directories
- University of Western Ontario's Brescia College
- Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology, Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology
- University of British Columbia, Faculty of Education - Home Economics Education - B.Ed, M.Ed
- University of Alberta - Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis - Canada Job Bank- labour market information (salary, job outlook, requirements, skills)
- Collective Agreements (Manitoba Government Employee's Master Agreement by Component)
- OpportuNext - salary range and job growth prospects - Manitoba
Professional Associations
Professional associations may organize events and provide directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities may also be available. This is a great way to learn and network!
- Canadian Home Economics/Human Ecology Associations
- International Federation of Home Economics
- Manitoba Association for Home Economists (MAHE)
- Manitoba Home Economics Teachers' Association (MHETA)
- Teachers of Home Economics Specialist Association (THESA)
Industry Associations
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards.
Other links
These external resources may provide you with additional information about the occupation and opportunities to build experience: