Family Resource Management

Family resource management professionals educate parents and youth, develop and operate community organizations and counsel individuals in financial matters. Explore education options, salary potential and the job outlook for this field.
<h2 id="section---IsFamilyResourceManagementRightForMe">Is Family Resource Management Right for Me?</h2>
<h3 id="section---CareerSummary">Career Summary</h3>
<p>Employees in the family resource management field teach budget and money management skills. They provide guidance to families experiencing problems with debt and credit management. They also help with retirement planning and entrepreneurship. In this field, you can expect to perform community outreach tasks, facilitate group discussions, perform family needs assessments and develop new and innovative programs. You may also perform tasks related to policy research and development or program administration.
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<h3 id="section---JobOptions">Job Options</h3>
<p>If you pursue a career in family resource management or family life education, you can find work in a number of places. Family life educators work in healthcare settings, faith-based organizations and government agencies. You can find work in parent coordination programs, child advocacy, government policy initiatives and welfare assistance programs. Occupations include <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_is_a_Consumer_Credit_Counselor.html">consumer credit counselor</a>, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Financial_Counselor_Frequently_Asked_Career_Questions.html">financial counselor</a> and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Human_Service_Assistant_Career_and_Salary_FAQs.html">human service assistant</a>.
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<h3 id="section---SalariesAndEmploymentOutlook">Salaries and Employment Outlook</h3>
<p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that some of the faster growing positions are in the social assistance field (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The BLS projects 22% employment growth for social and human service assistants during the 2012-2022 decade. Employees in the social and human services field reported median earnings of $28,850 in 2012, according to the BLS. The salary range for this profession was $19,430-$46,080 during the same period.
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<h2 id="section---HowCanIWorkInFamilyResourceManagement">How Can I Work in Family Resource Management?</h2>
<h3 id="section---EducationPrograms">Education Programs</h3>
<p>Most candidates interested in this career begin their course of study with a bachelor's degree program in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_is_Family_Studies.html">family studies</a>, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Consumer_Science_Majors_Your_Questions_Answered.html">consumer science</a> or family resource management. A degree at the baccalaureate level would prepare you through courses such as human development, human services leadership and family economics.
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<h3 id="section---Certifications">Certifications</h3>
<p>You can also pursue certification programs. The National Council on Family Relations offers two levels of its Certified Family Life Educator credential. The provisional certification is awarded to those who demonstrate knowledge of the content, but do not have sufficient work experience. The full certification is awarded to those who have gained work experience in addition to content knowledge.
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<h3 id="section---NecessarySkills">Necessary Skills</h3>
<p>Family resource management is a human services field. You should possess strong communication and decision-making skills, compassion and the desire to teach people how to improve their lives. Strong customer service skills, ethics and the ability to make sound judgments are also important.</p>