PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME ECONOMISTS IN THE HOME EQUIPMENT AND RELATED PRODUCT INDUSTRIES (MENTORS, CAREERS)

The study was focused on the nature of positions available to home economists in the home equipment and related product industries, the opportunities for them to advance into top level management positions, and the factors such as mentorship which contributed to their advancement opportunities.;Nine hypotheses involving relationships of selected independent variables to a Success/Achievement Index score (obtained from a modification of a 1976 HEIB study index) and three hypotheses relating to support relationships were tested. Statistical analyses included multiple regression, analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, the z test for proportions and the chi square test.;Respondents were employed in a wide variety of business positions. Many reported opportunities in their companies for home economists to move into line areas and middle level management in both staff and line areas, but few reported opportunities for movement into upper level management positions. Many home economists had achieved middle level management positions, but most had not passed the third level and few had entered upper levels of management.;Home economists have been proteges in a variety of support relationships. Nearly one-third had had mentors; over 40 percent, sponsors; and over one-third, career guides. Respondents reported a variety of ways their support figures had aided their professional and personal development. Also many of the home economists had served as support figures for other professionals.;The entire population of home economists who could be identified as working for manufacturers of appliances, housewares/materials, and cleaning products was surveyed by means of a pre-tested mail questionnaire. Usable responses were received from 151 of the 223 home economists in the adjusted population (68% return rate).;Positive, significant relationships were found between the Success/Achievement Index score and six variables: education level, years of employment with the company, extent of formal business training, years in career, number of professional positions held in the company, and mentor/sponsor relationships.;Conclusions were that a wide variety of positions are available to home economists in the industries studied, that opportunities for advancement do exist, and various factors (including mentorship/sponsorship) positively affect their career opportunities.