Taking the Road Less Traveled II Educators Tool

Taking the Road Less Traveled II Educator’s Tool Kit to Prepare Students for Nontraditional Careers

AWARENESS RECRUITMENT RETENTION PLACEMENT

AWARENESS Overview Ø Definition of a nontraditional occupation Ø Examples of nontraditional occupations for women and men Ø Why promote nontraditional career options? Ø Roadblocks males and females may experience Ø Solutions to overcome roadblocks

AWARENESS Definition of Nontraditional Occupation? Occupations or careers may be nontraditional based on a history of gender stereotyping, segregation and discrimination in the workforce. For the purposes of this resource the term “nontraditional” is used to refer to the gender underrepresented in an occupation. Cluster/Pathway Nontraditional Designations Internet Resource Any occupation in which women or men comprise 25% or less of its total employment is considered nontraditional.

AWARENESS Examples of a Nontraditional Occupation for Women and Men Nontraditional Occupations for Women CD-Resource Nontraditional Occupations for Men CD-Resource Information on the 16 Career Clusters Internet Resource

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? 43% In 2007, 43% of femaleheaded households with children under the age of eighteen lived in poverty compared with 8. 5% for children in married-couple families.

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? 28. 3% In 2007, the poverty rate for number of femalehouseholder-with-nohusband-present families was 28. 3% compared to married-couple families at 4. 9% and male-householder with-no-wife-present families at 13. 6%.

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? $33, 916 In 2007, Blacks had the lowest median household income of $33, 916 which was 62% of the median for non-Hispanic white households. Source: U. S. Department of Commerce, U. S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007.

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? Ø For women, the need for better wages is imperative given the high poverty data regarding women and their families. Ø Workforce and economic development is critical as the need for workers across the nation exceeds the supply of trained workers available. Ø For individuals, a nontraditional occupation could be a better career fit when considering job skills, personal interests and lifestyle.

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? Female-to-Male Earnings Ratio and Median Earnings of Full-Time, Year-Round Workers 15 years and Older by Sex: 1960 to 2007 Source: U. S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1961 to 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplements.

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? Per Capita Income Earnings by Race (2007) Race Median Income White $52, 115 White, not Hispanic $54, 920 Black $33, 916 Asian $66, 103 Hispanic (any race) $38, 679 Source: U. S. Department of Commerce, U. S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007.

AWARENESS Why nontraditional? Median Earnings by Disability Median Income Workers with a disability $17, 720 Males with a disability $21, 441 Females with a disability $14, 495 Source: : U. S. Census Bureau, 2005 -2007 American Community Survey.

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? Ø Average wages for the top 20 leading occupations for women and men. Women $33, 176 Annually Men $41, 496 Annually Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Household Data Annual Averages, Table 39 Median weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex. Available at www. bls. gov/cpsaat 39. pdf Ø Women’s earnings were 80% of men’s Source: Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau. Available at www. dol. gov/wb/factsheets/Qf-laborforce-07. htm

AWARENESS Why Nontraditional? Ø Median earnings of persons aged 16 -24, young women earned 92% of what young men earned. Source: Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau, http: //www. dol. gov/wb/factsheets/Qf-laborforce 07. htm Ø Pay gap is largely a result of women working in traditional jobs which pay less than male dominated jobs.

AWARENESS Why Promote Nontraditional Career Options? Ø Social and economic benefits • Equality of opportunity in education and employment • Elimination of poverty and reduction of wage gaps • Meeting workforce and employer needs Ø Employer Benefits • A diverse workforce • Multiple perspectives and problem-solving styles • Increased quality to workplace

AWARENESS Why Promote? Ø Individual Benefits • Individual and skill set fit • Job benefits • Career fulfillment and success Ø Educator Benefits • A diverse classroom brings new perspectives to class • Improved teaching and learning practices

AWARENESS Roadblocks Males and Females May Experience in Nontraditional Occupations Ø Both males and females can face roadblocks when pursuing a nontraditional career. Ø Roadblocks hamper success and self-satisfaction. Ø Students are more likely to complete a program if there at least 3 -5 students of the same gender enrolled in that class.

AWARENESS Common Roadblocks for Both Males and Females Ø Social/cultural • Socialization to traditional gender roles • Lack of support from family, friends, and classmates or coworkers • Lack of self-confidence • Lack of gender role models

AWARENESS Common Roadblocks for Both Males and Females Ø Education and Training • Limited information about nontraditional options • Gender is usually directed to traditional classes • Isolation and sexual harassment in classrooms • Lack of instructor support • Lack of support services such as transportation to class

AWARENESS Common Roadblocks for Both Males and Females ØOn the Job • Discrimination in hiring, firing, promotion, layoffs • Lack of facilities to accommodate gender • Isolation and sexual harassment in the workplace • Lack of union support in some trade areas • Lack of support services such as transportation to class or child care

AWARENESS Other Roadblocks for Males Ø Social/cultural • Perception that men aren’t caring • Perception that men who choose a nontraditional career aren’t masculine • May be less opportunity for advancement Ø Salary Many nontraditional occupations for men have low salaries.

AWARENESS Other Roadblocks for Females Ø Social/cultural Many women have limited experience with tools and mechanical operations, so they are hesitant to enroll in a course where they feel unprepared or behind their peers. ØEducation and Training • Lack of prerequisite classes in math and science • Lack of support services for child care

AWARENESS Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks Ø Social/cultural Work to educate and raise awareness as to the benefits of entering a nontraditional career. • Invite, involve, and educate parents. • Conduct elementary and middle school programs. • Provide role models and mentors.

AWARENESS Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks Ø Education and Training Work to ensure that all students are able to make a choice of careers based upon their skills and abilities and not their gender. • Provide access to and support for academic proficiency especially in math and science. • Implement and model gender-fair institutional strategies. • Conduct professional development with teachers at all levels.

AWARENESS Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks Ø Education and Training (cont. ) • Review career guidance materials and practices for gender bias and nontraditional exposure and support. • Evaluate all school materials for gender bias and positive nontraditional images. • Conduct pre-technical training programs. • Conduct nontraditional student support groups and peer counseling.

AWARENESS Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks Ø On the job Be a part of the solution that provides a safe and harassment free environment for all workers regardless of their gender. • Increase competence in diversity and sexual harassment prevention. • Provide nontraditional role models, mentors, and job shadowing. • Provide a continuum of support services. • Invite, involve, and educate business. • Collaborate with community-based organizations.

AWARENESS REVIEW Ø Definition of nontraditional occupation Any occupation in which women and men comprise 25% or less of its total employment is considered nontraditional. Ø Examples of NTO for women and men Women and men NTO jobs

AWARENESS REVIEW Ø Benefits of nontraditional occupations • • Social and economic benefits Employer benefits Individual benefits Educator benefits

AWARENESS REVIEW Ø Roadblocks males and females may experience Males and females face many of the same roadblocks when pursuing a career in a nontraditional occupation. Types of roadblocks include: • Social/cultural • Education and training • On the job • Salary

AWARENESS REVIEW Ø Solutions to overcome roadblocks • Work to educate and raise awareness about benefits of nontraditional careers. • Ensure that students make choices based upon their skills and abilities and not gender. • Provide a safe and harassment free environment for all workers regardless of their gender.