Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
202 Unit 3 Investigating Career Pathways in Human Services
In addition to consumer advocates, there are many other careers that
fall into the category of consumer advocacy. Some of these include the
following:
• Community consumer educators provide information and resources for
consumers and the public in general.
• Community organizers recruit people to work together to raise
awareness about an issue at the local, state, or federal level.
• Consumer journalists specialize in consumer matters, highlighting,
advocating, or solving consumer issues. They may work in broadcast
television, radio, print, or electronic media.
• Consumer litigation attorneys specialize in consumer issues or unjust
practices, prosecuting those who fail to follow the law. They may
specialize as policy analysts, carefully reviewing proposed or newly
enacted laws or regulations for potential impact on consumers.
• Consumer lobbyists are also involved in regulations and laws. They are
generally at the front end as campaigners for fair trade and consumer
interest laws.
• Nonprofi t foundation managers typically oversee the day-to-day
operations and fundraising activities to support the foundation’s
cause.
Financial Services
In fi nancial services, workers deal with money, investments, and
insurance. Both credit counselors and fi nancial advisors are interested in
helping their clients best manage their fi nancial resources, increase
assets, and reduce debt. They meet with their clients to discuss fi nancial
situations in-depth. They use this information to assess each client’s
fi nancial status. They review both income and debt and then propose a
plan. This often involves a way to reduce debt through an agreed upon
budget and spending plan.
Financial managers propose solutions to their clients on how to become
fi nancially solvent (secure), with more savings and investments to meet
short- or long-term goals. Financial analysts specialize in researching and
recommending stock performances as investments for their clients. Budget
analysts work in the corporate world. They develop and review budget
proposals and monitor organizational spending.
For the insurance area of fi nancial services, insurance sales agents sell
people and businesses different types of insurance to protect against
fi nancial loss resulting from accidents. Many insurance sales agents
also provide fi nancial planning services, such as retirement planning.
Insurance underwriters review a person’s fi nancial situation to determine
whether to insure an applicant. They also decide on insurance coverage
amounts and premiums.