Consumer Services

The Consumer Services major prepares students for careers that focus on the family as a producing and consuming unit with emphasis on managerial skills needed in managing the workplace and the home—financial management, stress management, resource allocation, organization and time management skills and balancing work and home responsibilities.  At the core of the Family and Consumer Sciences mission is empowering families to handle the dynamics of family life and workplace employment. Consumer Services majors complete an 18-hour business management minor and have the opportunity through elective hours to select course from supporting disciplines such as journalism, photography, mass communication, sociology, political science, English, and religion classes to enhance their skills in careers such as financial counseling, public service and non-profit agencies, journalism, event planners, professional organizers, and real estate. Class field trips, guest speakers, networking opportunities, and the senior internship program are a few of the opportunities that enrich classroom experiences.  As part of the curriculum, a Consumer Services internship of 150 hours is required.

Consumer Services Internships offer a variety of opportunities!

Agricultural Extension Service, University of Illinois, University of TN, Knoxville
ARAMARK Food Service, Catering, C-N College, Jefferson City, TN
American Express World Travel Agency, Knoxville, TN
Bridal Boutique and Catering Company, Anderson, SC
Chamber of Commerce, Morristown, TN
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Knoxville, TN
Cooking Light Magazine, Birmingham, AL
Event Planner, Minnesota
Hyatt Regency, Hilton and Raddison Hotels, Knoxville, TN
Merrill-Lynch Investments, Roanoke, VA
News and Publications Office, Design Assistant, C-N College, Jefferson City, TN
Realtor, Knoxville, TN
Retirement and Financial Planning, Florida
Secretariat Inc., Etiquette and Manners for Children, Greenville, DE
Southern Living Cooking Light Cooking School, postgraduate internship
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fl
Toyoda Human Resources Office, Morristown, TN

Recent Jobs Held by Consumer Services Graduates

Asso. Employee Benefit Specialist, Strategic Employee Benefits Services, Knoxville, TN
Bank One, Credit Card Division, Customer Relations, Lafayette, IN
Blair Interior Designs, Business Owner, Morristown, TN
Business Owner, Spartanburg, SC
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (CPA), Knoxville, TN
Certified Public Accountant Office, Administrative Support
Director of Dining Services, Chartswell/Compass Group, Mabank, TX
Elementary Kindergarten Teacher, VA
Financial Consultant, Charles Schwabb, Atlanta, GA
Full-time Homemakers
Loan Officer and Teller, Regions Bank, Jefferson City, TN
Manager, Cay Pointe Villa, Indian Rock Beach, FL
Senior Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Dallas, TX
Social Security Administration, Claims Representative, Morristown, TN
Teacher, Orlando, FL
University of Illinois, Extension Service
University of Tennessee, Extension Service, Youth Development
Vanderbilt Medical Center, Activities Coordinator
Walt Disney World, Retailing, Orlando, FL

One Consumer Services career area that is growing is the need for personal and family financial counseling professionals due to economic conditions, social goals, family life concerns, and changes in the needs and resources of family.  Americans are carrying heavy debt loads, have little or no savings, and struggle to make ends meet.  Consumer Services majors take course in personal and family management, personal finance, financial counseling, public policy and the family, in addition to courses in retailing, nutrition, family relationships, child development, and interior design. Dr. Carroll, leader of the Consumer Services major is an Accredited Financial Counselor and a Money Map Coach through Crown Ministries. She has selected a few of her favorite financial and public policy websites that you would be using in classes. Please contact her at dcarroll@cn.edu if you would like more information.

Favorite Websites:

Crown Financial Ministries: www.crown.org
Sound Mind Investing: www.soundmindinvesting.com
Kingdom Advisors (Christian Financial Professionals): www.cfpn.net
Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University: www.daveramsey.com
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Atlanta: www.credibility.org
Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy: www.jumpstart.org
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS): www.aafcs.org
     (Click on FCS Resources, then Teacher Resource Directory to find Consumer
               Services and Consumer and Family Resources links)
Association of Financial Planning and Education: www.afcpe.org
Accredited Financial Counselor: www.afcpe.org
Certified Financial Planner: www.cfp.net
Bankrate.com: www.bankrate.com
Progressive.com (rates for auto, homeowners, insurance): www.progressive.com
Morningstar-Mutual Funds: www.morningstar.com
Statistical Abstract of the United States: www.census.gov
Federal Government (numerous links): www.whitehouse.gov
Financial Resources for Americans: www.mymoney.gov
Kids and government, money, history, careers: www.kids.gov
WallBuilders (historical documents, founding fathers, resources): www.wallbuilders.com

For more information or to visit the department, contact:
Dr. Diana Carrol
Leader of the Consumer Services Program
Family and Consumer Sciences Division
865-471-3296
dcarrol@cn.edu