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. • Nonprofit 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.