This programme was designed between the Department of Tourism & Hospitality, MTU, and the School of Education, UCC, to allow graduates from the BA (Hons) in Home Economics & Business to seamlessly progress to the Professional Masters in Education in UCC.
However, for BA (Hons) Home Economics & Business graduates who decide that teaching is not a profession for them, they will be safe in the knowledge that this degree programme allows graduates to pursue several other career paths.
Despite not being qualified to teach at second level, graduates will have developed highly diversified skills, which can easily be utilised and adapted to other industries. Students will graduate as well-rounded individuals, with discipline expertise in Home Economics and Business, and excellent interpersonal skills, having studied four modules in Education. As an example, graduates may wish to embark in a food business related career; such will be their expertise, in culinary, food science, nutrition and business. These graduates will have a unique skillset to work in micro firms, SMEs and multi-nationals.
This skillset will also allow graduates to set up their own business (e.g. artisan food or textile domain), or pursue other entrepreneurial interests (e.g. community enterprise programmes).
Others may wish to apply their unique skillsets in novel ways, such is the diversity of the programme. For example, graduates could apply their knowledge and aptitude in a Care Home setting (e.g. Care Home Management), or in employment within charity or community groups (e.g. community child/young adult programmes), or other social care initiatives, while others may wish to apply their knowledge and skillset in areas such as event management or hospitality.
Avenues to pursue research interests and embark on Masters or PhD research would also be open. Such is the unique constellation of modules on the programme, graduates will have numerous career paths to choose from.
