How to Find Jobs in Consumer Science

That's an interesting combination and it seems that two major career paths open to you.

One would be to get involved in market research. This would draw on your consumer science background. We tend to think of marketing as trying to shape consumer behavior, because that's the most visible aspect of it -- advertising, sales, and other types of campaigns. However, behind the scenes, marketers are also very concerned with trying to understand and predict consumer behavior. This helps them know what product lines, marketing approaches, and buying experiences are most successful.

There are various types of market research, such as surveys, focus groups, observation, and analysis of consumer behavior. With more consumer data available than ever before, thanks to the Internet and the ability to link buying patterns with the use of electronic cards, consumer science has become increasingly rich in information.

In short, you could work at market research firms, advertising agencies, or the marketing department of any mid-size to large retail organization.

Of course, the other path you could take, given your education credential, would be teaching. Having a master's degree could open up opportunities for you to teach either on the K-12 or the college level.