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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 8
Review and Assessment Review and Assessment
Summary
• Consumer services careers fall into four major
tracks: consumer advocacy, financial services,
customer service, and buying. Consumer
advocacy involves speaking on behalf of or
supporting consumers. In fi nancial services,
workers deal with money, insurance, and
investments. Customer service refers to taking
care of customers’ needs. Buying involves
identifying products for purchase.
• Consumer services workers often possess
strong interpersonal, verbal communication,
writing, analytical, math, and conflict resolution
skills. Having a good reputation for being fair,
respectful, and ethical is important in consumer
services.
• Most consumer services careers require at least
a college education. Many consumer services
careers also require certifications, based on
specialization of expertise.
• Specialized knowledge for consumer services
careers involves knowing consumer rights and
responsibilities, understanding consumer buying
techniques, and managing finances.
• Sustainable purchasing involves buying
products that benefit environmental, social, or
human health.
• A budget is a written financial plan to manage
income, expenses, and savings. Using a budget
can help consumers plan and save for future
expenses.
• Common savings and investment tools include
savings accounts, money market accounts,
CDs, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and IRAs.
• Three types of credit include installment,
noninstallment, and revolving credit. Consumers
can face enormous debt if they do not learn to
use credit wisely.
• Many careers in consumer services are well
paid, but can sometimes be stressful with a
high level of responsibility. The future outlook
for consumer services workers varies based on
occupation.
College and Career Portfolio College and Career Portfolio
Portfolio Samples
Portfolios for college or job applications
often include samples of work. A sample of work
might be an especially well-written paper,
a persuasive presentation, or a hypothetical
lesson plan.
Portfolio samples are examples of your best
work, so it is important to read and edit them.
Correct spelling and grammar are important
in school and in the workplace, and your best
work should display your grasp of language.
Before adding samples of your best work to
your portfolio, complete the following:
1. Review samples of your work of which
you are most proud. These samples might
be from your schoolwork, participation
in an extracurricular activity, or personal
projects you have completed.
2. Consult with your teacher or college and
career counselor about which samples of
work would be best for your portfolio.
Create a list of samples you want to use.
3. Proofread the samples for your portfolio.
Check for correct spelling, grammar, and
punctuation.
4. Partner with a trusted classmate to
proofread each other’s samples. Afterward,
review and incorporate corrections your
classmate made to your samples.