Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
Human ecology might sound like a super specific field, but it's actually a really big field. Like, a prairie-sized field. One that stretches way out into the horizon without even a tree or a barn or something to break up the view. It's that big.
Like most humanities majors, you're probably going to graduate college without a good idea of what you want to do. You'll panic about it for a bit, but you'll calm down when you realize that you've got a lot of marketable skills. Your big advantage? You know what makes people tick.
Unless you're planning on getting a job as a hermit, your day-to-day grind is going to involve dealing with people. From business to catering to medicine to clowning, people will be everywhere. And you, dear Shmooper, will know exactly how to connect with them.
Common Career Fields
Adult Educator. (Master's encouraged) An adult educator is exactly what it sounds like: they teach adult school. There are three types of education that adult teachers provide (English as a second language, basic education, and adult secondary education), so you've got some options. Want to help some people become bilingual? Be a teacher of English as a second language (ESL for short) and teach students to read, write, and speak in one of the world's most ridiculous languages. Passionate about giving folks a chance they missed out on as kids? Go into basic adult education and teach people how to read, write, and do math. And if you're keen to help someone move beyond the basics, consider adult secondary education, where you'll help students earn a high school diploma.
Food Scientist. (Secondary degree in food science strongly encouraged) As a food scientist, you'll create and test new food products and make processed foods healthy and safe. You can make new flavor compounds, develop a crunchier potato chip, or serve as the first line of defense against trans fats. Job perks include: awesome lab coat, cool goggles, and the chance to be a food scientist for a major fast food company and invent the next best-selling item on the Taco Bell menu. So long, Crunchwrap Supreme.
Marriage and Family Therapist. (PhD required) This is not an easy field to get into, or stay into, but it's definitely a worthy cause. Marriage and family therapists help couples and families through their tough times. You'll be facing down problems that threaten to shred relationships into confetti—problems like stress, depression, anxiety, communication issues, loveless marriages, and child-parent problems.
Registered Dietitian. The coolest thing about this job is probably the fact that you get to sign all your e-mails and letters with your name and then "RD" next to it. It'll make you look like the real deal because, well, you are. You're a registered dietitian and you help people live longer, healthier lives by helping them improve their food intake. You'll teach clients how to eat well and help them navigate any allergies or lifestyle requirements. If you'd like to show a hardcore vegan how to keep their iron deficiency at bay, provide a lactose-intolerant athlete with a steady source of calcium, or just help a Big Mac addict kick their junk-food habit…this is the job for you.
Physician. (Medical degree required) Where would we be without our doctors? In bed with Netflix and a runny nose, that's where. Becoming a doctor is one of the noblest things you can do. It's also one of the hardest. Med school is not exactly a cakewalk. It takes a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of effort to get that degree. On the other hand, who would want to go to a doctor who got their degree after just two years of school? If you know you want to be a doctor, but you also want that human ecology degree, get the degree as an undergrad and focus on nutrition classes. They'll come in handy when you go on to med school.
Personal Trainer. (Secondary degrees in kinesiology and nutrition required) Personal trainers aren't just for celebs. Thousands of Americans hire these fitness and nutrition experts to help them achieve their health and fitness goals. Personal trainers' styles can vary wildly to match their personality and what their clients require. Like, some people are better motivated by peppy encouragement, while others prefer to be yelled at. But their jobs are ultimately the same: show people how to exercise and eat well so they can stay healthy. While this may seem like an easy job, it can get pretty rough, since part of the job requirement is to drag people kicking and screaming into a healthy lifestyle. If you're a real people person with an endless supply of energy and patience, this might be a good gig for you.
Pharmacist. (Nutritional science degree required) Batman has Robin. Xena has Danielle. Cinderella has her singing mice. All the greats have sidekicks to help them. A pharmacist is like a physician's sidekick. They're the ones who prepare, bottle, and dole out all the medicines that physicians prescribe to their patients. They top up your allergy meds in the spring, give you antibiotics to cure your bronchitis and prepare the Epi-Pen that could save your life. A pharmacist is in charge of making sure that everyone gets enough of what they need, and since they deal with some strong stuff, they need to be meticulous and keep super careful records. If you'd like to help people feel better—with a bit of life-saving work on the side—then put on your lab coat and get organizing.
Current unemployment of the major
19.5%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
36%Stats obtained from this source.