NonTrad 101 Tips

101 Tips for Nontraditional Career Success:

The first 40 are provided. Can you find the rest?

1. Locate the professional organization for the nontraditional career.

2. Host recruitment events where students can experience small job tasks related to a nontraditional career, led by a nontraditional career employee. (Example: females examining the fuel from an airplane tank for water; males matching behavior to child development chart while observing 1st graders through a one-way mirror.)

3. Provide detailed information about nontraditional careers such as beginning and advanced pay, working conditions, employee benefits, typical employers, etc.

4. Conduct career aptitude, values and interest assessments (Example: COPS, COPES, CAPS) that can show connections to nontraditional careers.

5. For free career development tools which include nontraditional careers go to the Arizona Career Resource Network (AzCRN Website). For further information contact Susan Mellegard at ADE.

6. Acquaint students with tools of the career in a pre-course session.

7. Use recruitment materials that speak to girls and minorities.

8. Show photos of local females and males performing nontraditional careers.

9. Download free photos of individuals in nontraditional careers.

10. Take a free Virtual Job Shadow tour at www.virtualjobshadow.com/.

11. Answer questions about entry level requirements, working conditions, salary, etc.

12. Make nontraditional promotional materials available in gender and ethnic dominant work places.

13. Mentors should be gender and ethnic/racial matches, if possible.

14. Utilize motivational posters for nontraditional careers (also language-related).

15. Model and discuss employer expectations such as attendance, punctuality, staying on task, and work ethic.

16. Discuss appropriate topics for conversation at work and how much to reveal.

17. Discuss the concept of paying one's dues, regardless of prior job success.

18. Know and teach sexual harassment laws to students in both a nontraditional classroom and on-the-job.

19. Conduct a learning styles assessment to determine your students' styles and give instruction that meets the needs of auditory, kinesthetic, and visual learners.

20. Encourage high expectations in order to achieve their goals. (Generating Expectations for Student Achievement, Gray/Mill). 1-(800)-218-GESA (4372).

21. Include hands-on educational activities for all nontraditional students that produce tangible items. (Example: make a working model, such as an electronic sign that flashes, "I can").

22. Set class rules that forbid gender discrimination.

23. Encourage students to articulate the skills learned in nontraditional careers.

24. Teach students how to lift heavy items, if the item is too heavy, no one should lift it.

25. Don't do English assignments for male students just because stereotypically they do poorly in English.

26. Don't do Math assignments for female students just because stereotypically they do poorly in Math. Challenge all students to complete assignments in all subjects.

27. Do not skip male students when assigning hospitality roles in the classroom.

28. Look at all students equally. Don't assume a female student wants to volunteer for refreshments; don't assume a male student wants to volunteer to set up the computer.

29. If students need affordable uniforms for nontraditional classrooms or work, visit www.bestbuyuniforms.com.

30. Do give compliments to female students for the intellectual content of their answers or assignments; unfortunately females are more accustomed to compliments related to appearance or social graces.

31. Upper body strength is necessary in many nontraditional careers. Consider weight training and strategies for lifting/moving heavy objects.

32. Post sample resumes and completed job applications of nontraditional career applicants.

33. Use the correct industry names for tools, procedures, etc.

34. Have nontraditional career students or others who need it make up their own set of sturdy flash cards with visual clues.

35. Connect students with role models in high-paying nontraditional occupations by gender and race/ethnicity.

36. Connect nontraditional newly employed students with a nontraditional career professional support group.

37. Support recently employed nontraditional students with follow-up phone calls at home to discuss challenges and solutions.

38. Inform economic development agencies of the need to recruit males to nursing and elementary teaching and females to information technology careers and the trades.

39. Encourage parents to talk to their daughters about science and technology. 16% fewer girls than boys report talking to their parents about science and technology.

40. Offer parents a workshop to learn how to effectively discuss nontraditional careers with their daughters and sons.

PHASE Partnership & Resource Link

Tell Me More

CHAPTERS
1. Introduction
2. Course Requirements
3. High Wages for Men and Women Are Important
4. 101 Tips