Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
200 Unit 3 Investigating Career Pathways in Human Services
People often have problems managing their purchases and monetary
resources. As some say, “money makes the world go around.” Consumer
services workers help their clients manage the details of being a consumer
in today’s complex world. Consumers are people who purchase goods
and services. Consumer services workers help people solve fi nancial and
consumer problems and make good consumer decisions. They educate their
clients on how to invest and plan fi nancially. Consumer services workers
must focus on the end goal of improving the quality of life for their clients.
Careers in Consumer Services
Career opportunities in consumer services are many, varied, and
constantly expanding. Consumer services careers fall into four major tracks.
These are consumer advocacy, fi nancial services, customer service, and
buying. Examples of careers in each of these areas are shown in Figure 8.1.
Examples of Consumer Services Careers
Consumer advocacy • Community consumer educator
• Community organizer
• Consumer advocate
• Consumer journalist
• Consumer litigation attorney
• Consumer lobbyist
• Nonprofit foundation manager
• Policy analyst
Financial services • Budget analyst
• Credit counselor
• Financial advisor
• Financial analyst
• Financial manager
• Insurance sales agent
• Insurance underwriter
Customer service • Computer support specialist
• Customer service representative
• Retail sales manager
• Retail sales worker
• Sales manager
• Sales worker
Buying • Buyer
• Purchasing agent
• Purchasing manager
• Retail buyer
• Supply chain manager
Figure 8.1 There
are many different
careers in consumer
services. Which area
of consumer services
interests you most?