Exploring Non-Traditional Career Pathways

When building a Transition IEP, it is important to listen to students’ needs and interests. Some students may wonder about non-traditional careers, such as law enforcement for women or nursing for men. It is crucial that you hear and record student preferences in their IEP since it helps them achieve goals and transition to a fulfilling life.

The U.S. Department of Labor defines non-traditional careers for women as those with a female employment rate of 25% or less. Firefighters, sheet metal workers, engineers, and computer programmers are examples. Non-traditional careers for men include jobs where women make up at least 75% of the workforce. Some examples are early education, paralegal, or social work.

How can teachers help students explore non-traditional employment opportunities?

Ways to introduce students to Non-Traditional Occupations (NTOs):

  • Indiana Career Explorer gives students access to skills assessments, interest surveys, and a work values assessment to help define which non-traditional occupation they wish to explore further.
  • Big Future helps identify jobs that match a student’s interests and skills.
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has identified many non-traditional jobs and their wages at CVTC Non-Traditional Occupations.
  • The Non-traditional Employment for Women (NEW) Workshop in Fort Wayne, Indiana, provides mentorship to young women looking to pursue a nontraditional career path.
  • Expose students to the growth potential for their job of interest in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook available on the Career Info App.
  • Encourage students to build a network of individuals in their field of interest.
  • Explore and attend industry events and job fairs—build a network here!
  • Investigate online resources such as LinkedIn and build a profile specific to their non-traditional career goals.

Resources:

Bonus Tip

Family Employment Awareness Training

When: March 24
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Gary Area Career Center
1800 East 35th Ave.
Gary, IN 46409

Sign up for the Gary, Indiana FEAT sessions!

Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) training sessions offer free instruction to young adults with disabilities, their families, and the transition professionals who work with them. FEAT attendees learn all about local, state, and federal resources meant to help young adults with disabilities who want to work in their communities. Families, transition-age young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who support them are welcome to attend.

For more FEAT information and to register for these and other events, visit the CCLC FEAT webpage.