• Counselling family members about income, physical, mental, and intellectual ability.



• Organizing lectures, demonstrations, pamphlets and cookbooks, in order to provide information to individuals and organizations.



• Teaching at schools, colleges, technikons and universities.



• Writing books or columns for newspapers and magazines.



• Testing recipes, preparing food for photography, advertising and demonstration purposes.



• Providing food to groups of people on a small- or large-scale basis.



• Working at a hotel or hospital.



• Decorating the interior of various private homes or large organizations.

Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of at least a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption is required for studies at South African universities. A HIGCSE or outstanding IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, is needed to enrol at South African technikons.

A HIGCSE/IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with passes in five subjects and at least 25 points on the UNAM point evaluation scale, is required to be admitted to UNAM. Applications usually have to be accompanied by a medical report and candidates have to undergo a selection procedure.

Compulsory subjects
Physical Science, Mathematics (South Africa)

Recommended subjects
Home Economics, Biology (UNAM)
Biology (South Africa)

Tertiary Education
South African universities offer a B. Sc. (Home Economics) degree, which could be completed in three to four years. A B. Ed. (Home Economics) degree can be completed at UNAM. Technikons in South Africa offer a three-year N. Dip.: Food and Clothing Technology.

Personality
The prospective candidate must have artistic talent, practical ability, leadership qualities and good interpersonal skills.

Work Opportunities
Home economists are employed by hospitals, hotels, catering firms, etc.. Teaching positions exist at schools. They can also be employed as consultants by health and community services.

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