Home science as a career
Home
science is not just about educating
women to be experts at home decoration, the subject
is largely scientific in nature and requires an
analytical mind and scientific acumen to excel. A
practical approach, aesthetic, creative and rational attitude
will be required to attain success in this field. “In 1929
when India was under the British rule, Home Science was promoted
across the country mainly to create awareness on various issues
and to give women a sense of equality in society. However, six
decades have passed since India has gained independence, but
some preconceived ideas are yet to be discarded regarding Home
Science as a subject,” says the principal of J D Birla
Institute, Dr Deepali Singhee.There is an increasing demand with
lucrative offers for Home
science graduates in the present job market. This
subject has diversified into many branches and keeping
in mind the current job scenario and career options, the
Home Science syllabus is being altered frequently.
There
are five specializations in Home Science
namely, Food and Nutrition, Human Development, Apparel
and Fabric Science, Resource Management and
Communication and Extension Education. However, a
specialization in Food and Nutrition provides knowledge
of the analysis of vital nutrients in food-stuffs,
detection of food adulterants, planning therapeutic diets, diet
counseling for all age groups, standardizing quality and
quantity of food-stuff, health awareness in community, food
preservation techniques, culinary skills and food processing and
canning of food-stuffs. She says, “Students have been
employed as diet consultants, clinical executives and lifestyle
counselors in health clubs, slimming centers, hospitals, hotels
and gyms. After doing MBA some may work as
marketing managers to the pharmaceutical companies
producing and marketing diet supplements. Students
may also work as nutritionists in retail food chains and
as project officers in NGOs.”
The Human
Development specialization deals with the understanding of the
sequential stages of development over the life span of an
individual. Students learn about physical and psychological
development of infants and pre-school children, the role of
nutrition in health and about psychological testing. The graduates
and postgraduates in this field may work as project officers and
project coordinators in NGOs and Research projects.“After
graduating with a specialization in Resource Management students
are eligible to work as Interior designers and drafts person,
hospital management executives, public relations officer or as
front office personnel,” says Singhee. She says,
“During the course they study a number of subjects ranging
from management principals and practices, management of energy
resources, consumer awareness, planning and designing of
residential and commercial spaces, use of anthropometrics in
designing furniture.” She informs, “The students of
Textiles and Clothing section get a complete knowledge of fibre to
fabric and also garment construction and are well suited for posts
of merchandisers or quality control managers. They study about
dyeing and printing, fabric manufacture, textile testing,
traditional textiles and textile marketing and merchandising.
Hence, they work in printing units, with fashion designer or in
testing labs. Some also become entrepreneurs.” A
specialization in Extension Education enables a student to work
with NGOs as project coordinators and officers. “Home
Science is such a subject, which takes into account the various
aspects of our social awareness,” says Dr Minati Sen,
Principal of Biharilal College of Home Science and Social
Science. She says, “Like students pursuing other
courses, a home scientist too can enter the job
market.” She says, “The curriculum over the
decades has changed immensely and from a subject, which was
taught to women to become better homemakers, from a
composite of various subjects it has grown in each section
with greater inputs in science and technology, to be as
competitive as other courses that are job oriented.”
Indian Institutes:
Dharampeth Kala Vanijya
Mahavidyalaya (Nagpur University), Nagpur
Lady
Amritabai College for Women, Nagpur University, Nagpur
College
of Rural Science, Amravati, (Amravati University)
Sri
Vithaldas Thackersey College of Home Science, SNDT University, Mumbai/Pune
Lady
Irwin College, New Delhi
Jwari
Devi Birla Institute Of Home Science, Jadavpur University, Calcutta
College
Of Home Science (Utkal University) Bhubaneswar
B.D.
College (Gujarat University), Sankdisheri, Ahmedabad
Govt.
College of Home Science, Punjab University, Chandigarh
College
of Home Science (Punjab Agricultural University) Kaoni, Faridkot
S.D.
College (Kurukshetra University), Ambala Cantt
V.H.O.
Institute of Home Science, Banglore University, Bangalore
Queen
Marry’s College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
International Institutes:
USA
National Executive Housekeepers
Association, Inc., 1001.Eastwind Dr.,
Suite
301, Westervllle, OH 430816
UK
Institute of Home Economics, Hobart
House, 40 Grosvenor Place,
London
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