Home Science offers varied career opportunities
Vijay Garg
Home Science may be defined as the study required to develop home or family life within a changing society by taking the help of scientific knowledge and methods.
The subjects involved in making Home Science a wonderful learning tool for better-living are PCB, hygiene, rural development, community living, art, food, clothing, textiles and home management etc.
In recent scenario Home Science is gaining huge popularity among students owing to its wide application in industries like food preservation and training, clothing and textiles and interior decoration etc.
Also more colleges are getting encouragement to start various bachelor’s degree, master and diploma courses in this field.
Home Science Eligibility Criteria
Aspiring students can take up Home Science as part of their class XII curriculum. However, for taking up home science as a subject at B.Sc. level a student need to pass the 10+2 exam preferably with science subjects (physics, chemistry, biology) and at least 50% marks.
B.Sc in Home Science
Eligibility: 10+2 or intermediate examination or PUC of study or an equivalent examination with any two Biology/Natural Sciences, Physical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Vocational courses in Home Science.
P.G. Diploma in Home Science
Eligibility: Graduate from a recognized University
Diploma in Home Science
Eligibility: Graduate from a recognized University
M.Sc in Home Science
Eligibility: B.Sc in Home science or any other equivalent degree from a recognized university.
Ph.D in Home Science
Eligibility: M.Sc in Home science or any other equivalent masters degree from a recognized university.
Read: Science as a career option
Home Science Career Prospects
Home Science students have a wide range of fields that they can enter
Production Jobs – This covers food preservation, dress-making, specialized cooking. Graduates of Home Science can go on to enter the textile business, fashion designing etc. or even work in hotels and in food industry etc.
Research Jobs – These involve educating specific segments of the population such as mothers, farmers, and villagers on the food-value of certain food items. Also one can work as a researcher/scientist in R&D labs on food preservation etc.
Sales Jobs – Sales promotion of food items (baby foods) are given to home science graduates since they have relevant information and experience.
Service Jobs – Maintenance and supervision of house keeping departments at tourist resorts, hotels, catering facilities, restaurants etc.
Teaching Jobs – The recognized qualification for a primary school teacher is a Bachelors degree in Home Science and many postgraduates are absorbed as senior secondary school teachers and college professors.
Technical Jobs – Manufacturing industries do require home science graduates to serve as research assistants.
Home Science Pay Package
The candidates with Home Science background can get a starting salary of Rs 5000 – 8000 as a trainee and after having experience in a particular area say Nutrition & Dietetics can get a monthly salary which can be more than Rs 10, 000.
Those who have interests in research, teaching, catering jobs etc. can get handsome salary. The salary of a Food Technologist in a food services department or industry etc is relatively more. Consultant dieticians can also earn enough money depending on their practice
(The author is a Retired Principal and an Educationist based at Malout Punjab)
