Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Nontraditional Careers

Questions



How are the nontraditional occupations determined?

Is the performance measure for nontraditional participation and completion disaggregated by males and females?

Why should we recruit men into nontraditional occupations that are usually low wage, low skilled jobs?

What are some barriers for learners in nontraditional occupations/programs?

How can we recruit individuals into nontraditional occupations when the learner has no interest or aptitude for the occupation?

What are sources of legally downloadable photos of females and males in nontraditional careers? [Remember to cite the source of photos on each photo used.]


Answers



How are the nontraditional occupations determined?

Answer
Nontraditional occupations include careers in computer science, technology, and other emerging high-skill occupations and other occupations which employ less than 25% of one gender.



Is the performance measure for nontraditional participation and completion disaggregated by males and females?

Answer
No, the performance measure for nontraditional participation and completion for women and men is a combined one. It makes sense to encourage women into nontraditional occupations which lead to economic self sufficiency, rather than encouraging men into nontraditional occupations which are often lower paying positions.

Why should we recruit men into nontraditional occupations that are usually low wage, low skilled jobs?

Answer
If men are interested in nontraditional occupations and low pay is a genuine problem in that field of occupation, be open and candid about this when recruiting. Keep in mind all learners should given the full range of career opportunities.

Educational efforts to expand occupational options should be done for learners of both genders; however, encouraging women into nontraditional occupations often leads to higher wages, to higher skilled jobs, and to economic self-sufficiency. Make male learners aware that nontraditional jobs (e.g., teaching primary school) are very rewarding and that men are often better paid in those occupations than are women.

What are some barriers for learners in nontraditional occupations/programs?

Answer
All learners' barriers and strengths are unique; support services should be tailored to suit their individual needs. For individuals pursuing nontraditional occupations, however, isolation and lack of peer and supervisory support are common inside and outside the occupation/training program.

How can we recruit individuals into nontraditional occupations when the learner has no interest or aptitude for the occupation?

Answer
A critical step in the recruitment of women and men into nontraditional occupations is awareness about gender equity issues. Gender equity means ensuring fair treatment to both genders and the elimination of career stereotypes and bias. This requires a thorough examination of recruitment and instructional materials, and an environment this is bias free. It is important to remember that all learners have the ability to perform well in all academic and technical areas required in nontraditional work.

What are sources of legally downloadable photos of females and males in nontraditional careers? [Remember to cite the source of photos on each photo used.]

Answer
a) Multistate Academic and Vocational Curriculum Consortium (MAVCC) Taking the Road Less Traveled, Educator's Took Kit to Prepare Students for Nontraditional Careers. CD in Took Kit contains photo gallery of nontraditional careers for females and males.

To purchase the Tool Kit, refer to Resources, MAVCC. Multistate Academic and Vocational Curriculum consortium (MAVCC) 800.654.3988

Check your local secondary, adult or community college director of career and technical education if they have a copy. Hundreds of Tool Kits were distributed at Carl Perkins Act Orientation meetings and other professional development sessions throughout Arizona during 2002-2003.

To borrow the Tool Kit, contact the SERVE Library. Serve Library

b) Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science (IWITTS) at IWITTS, click on Free Clip Art/Photo Gallery for Women in Tech!

c) Photo galleries of males in nontraditional careers are not as freely found. They are more likely to be found in specific career areas such as teaching, nursing/health careers, example: males in teaching; males in nursing, etc.