Career Options

If you work in the housing field, a Certificate in Housing Studies will expand your knowledge in housing-related issues. While "on-the-job" experience provides some expertise for those employed in housing, conversations with housing professionals indicate there is strong interest in obtaining a broader perspective and additional technical skills. Statistics show a need for further education in the housing field:

  • Housing is the number one concern for regional development in the Twin Cities area according to a recent Maxwell report.
  • The Twin Cities metropolitan area has a large number of housing related agencies and organizations in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Job openings in the housing field are common.
  • Nationally there are very few academic programs offering housing studies. Graduates with housing expertise are in high demand.

Employment
Housing related fields employed about 30,000 professionals in the year 2000, and local governments employed about 75 percent of those employees. Others are employed in state agencies dealing with housing, transportation, or environmental protection, and a small number work for the Federal government. Housing related occupations are represented in the private sector in housing development, residential mortgage lending, inspections, and property management.

As you think about entering a certificate program and are interested in how it will fit with your career plans, please check the career planning resources to assist you in your career path.   Information interviews with people in the field are an excellent way to learn about more career opportunities and potential employment

Online Resources for Employment and Salary Outlook

The University Libraries Careers and Jobs Web site is a comprehensive site for many aspects of your career exploration.  Specific information on careers in housing.

CCE’s online career planning resources Web site

General employment resources:   http://www.cce.umn.edu/career/tools/resources.html

Labor statistics: Bureau of Labor Statistics  http://www.bls.gov/

State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Minnesota: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mn.htm