Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 8 Consumer Services 209
For fi nancial services, a bachelor’s degree
in either fi nance or accounting is preferred.
Employers, and many states, may require
fi nancial counselors to earn the Certifi ed
Personal Finance Counselor (CPFC) certifi cation,
usually offered by their home state. Many
fi nancial services workers choose to earn a
graduate degree, such as a master’s of business
administration (MBA). This helps them to
further prepare for advancement and build their
knowledge base or perceived expertise and
credibility.
Customer service representatives, fi rst and
foremost, must be well-versed in their product
and the company culture they represent. Some
companies hire customer service representatives
with minimal post–high school education,
preferring to provide on-the-job training. Others,
especially those in the technical fi elds, prefer
or even require a college education. This may
be a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year
bachelor’s degree. Majors in business, as well
as many other interdisciplinary majors, can
provide good preparation for this career because
customer service requires good communication
skills.
In buying careers, educational requirements
vary greatly, depending on the industry and
size of the organization. For some, a high school
diploma with some training and experience is
suffi cient to enter the fi eld. For most, however,
a bachelor’s degree is preferred or required. Business and accounting
courses are desired, along with product knowledge. For example,
in fashion retail buying, knowledge about apparel construction,
sizing, textiles, and fashion trends is needed (Figure 8.7). In
manufacturing fi rms, a four-year college degree is preferred or often
required, especially in the technical fi eld. Engineering, applied
sciences, and business degrees are common. On-the-job training
is a critical part of learning the expectations of buying in a chosen
fi eld.
Overall, most careers in consumer services require at least a college
education. Many consumer services careers also require certifi cations,
based on specialization of expertise. Professionals who earn these
certifi cations show they have the knowledge and skill to manage their
clients’ fi nancial resources or give good advice.
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
Figure 8.7 A formal education in fashion
merchandising or fashion design can help aspiring
fashion retail buyers gain knowledge about the
fashion industry. Why is it important for buyers to
be knowledgeable about the products they are
purchasing?