Consumer Studies
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Introduction
Consumer Studies focuses on developing the girls to enable them to become responsible and informed consumers of food, clothing, housing, furnishings and household equipment, and to use resources optimally and in a sustainable manner. The subject also promotes the application of knowledge and skills in the production of quality marketable products that will meet consumer needs.
Consumer Studies was introduced in grade 10 in 2006 and in grade 11 in 2007. 2008 saw the first group of grade 12's taking the subject.
June 2012 saw the Consumer Studies kitchen getting a total overhaul. The kitchen is beautifully laid out with 16 individual work stations with gas hobs for the girls.
Syllabus
Learning Areas involve:
- Consumer Education
- Food and Nutrition
- Clothing
- Housing and furnishings
- Production/Practical - the learners will, where possible, cook at least once a cycle
Why Choose Consumer Studies?
f you have the qualities we are looking for and have always been interested in cooking, nutrition, fashion design, textiles, interior design and housing, marketing and consumer needs, then you are the person who should be studying Consumer Studies. It is easy to identify those pupils who have chosen it because they really want to, and those who have thought it to be an easy option!
Consumer Studies is a life skill - you will definitely use the skills you learn every day of your life. So remember...you don't have to study Consumer Studies solely to enter the relevant job opportunity fields of which there are many but you can choose it because it will help you in your everyday life and, most of all, it is FUN!
Girls who are set on very different career paths could take Consumer Studies at Our Lady of Fatima — from the prospective Doctor or Lawyer to Fashion Designer!
What Qualities do I need?
Even though Consumer Studies is fun - remember it is also hard work!
Consumer Studies students are those people who have a passion for food, clothing, housing, soft furnishings and Interiors and have high standards, values and goals in life.
The Consumer Studies Department would like to see the following qualities:
- Passion
- Commitment
- Hard work
- Dedication
- Attention to detail
- Keen interest in health
- Love for life - You are what you eat!
- Fashion-conscious — Interior awareness
- Time Management and organizational skills
- Creativity and flair
Job Opportunities
- Consumer Services and event management.
- Co-ordinate events within the fields of food or design.
- Marketing and Management
- Marketing consumer products within a company.
- Public Relations and Media
- Promoting products to consumers and dealing with advertising.
- Product Development and Quality Assurance
- Developing new consumer products suited to their needs - this could be clothing, food or furnishings.
- Promotion or Liaison Officer
Introduce new / existing products of a wide variety to consumers. Demonstrate, develop, test and market products.
- Journalism
Writing talent and creativity applied in the press, radio, and TV media on a full-time, part-time or freelance basis. - Research
In the food, nutrition, clothing and housing fields in the manufacturing industry and at research institutions. - Dietician
Register for private practice or in the service of hospitals / private companies. - Field of Clothing
Clothing designer, dressmaker, merchandiser or fashion buyer
- Field of Housing
Interior designer or housing consultant
- Hotel / Restaurant / Catering
Hospitality industry: manage game lodges, offer private catering
- Food Services Management
- Entrepreneur
Opportunities in the food, clothing, housing fields; this is especially relevant to a working-from-home situation - Formal education
Teach/lecture at university, technical university, technical college or high school.
- Formal education
Develop programmes, do extension work in government services or N.G.O.'s in community development.