Resource Management

Resource Management is the study of the principles and processes involved in the recognition, creation, and allocation of human material resources to meet goals. The Resource Management program offers specializations in Consumer Studies at the undergraduate level. Virginia Tech has the only Consumer Studies program in the Commonwealth of Virginia and contiguous states!

The Consumer Studies option prepares students to enter a variety of careers in the public and private sectors. Central to these careers is the ability to analyze issues and problems from the perspectives of consumers, business, and government. Graduates are employed in business firms and government agencies. Typical job titles include consumer information specialist, complaint mediator, sales representative, product development and promotion specialist, and public information officer.

Students learn to reasonably advocate consumer interests and to help consumers improve their well-being. They develop fundamental skills that are used to resolve problems faced by consumers in the market place and the work place. The focus of the course work has a family perspective with which students can examine problems and issues to improve the well-being of individuals and families.

Consumer Studies students are provided a variety of learning experiences on and off campus. Through involvement with student professional associations, as well as relevant state and national organizations, students can develop leadership and organizational skills and network with active professionals. There are opportunities to relate classroom learning to the "real world" with projects and visits with industry, legislators, and regulators. Students get free registration to attend the Consumer Federation of America's national conferences, and have won support to attend the American Council on Consumer Interests.

The program requires an individualized study experience, typically an internship related to personal career interests, in the Junior or Senior year. Examples are:

• internships (most students do these)
• undergraduate research
• study abroad through programs in other colleges at VT or other universities
• participation in organized programs like VCU's Commonwealth Semester where they work at the General Assembly during Session.

Students are also engaged in the university's outreach mission. They are involved in local extension programming with events such as the Reality Store and Poverty Simulations; state extension programming such as LifeSmarts and state 4-H competitions; and community service engagements such as VT's The Big Event.