This research is an exploratory study that focused on describing the experiences of adult students who identify themselves as women enrolled in male-dominated Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) career pathway programs at a large Midwestern multi-campus community college. The study was undertaken to build on the research of women in…

Men are choosing to enter nontraditional careers with greater frequency. In this article, the authors examine nontraditional career choices made by men and review current empirical literature relevant to this topic. Gottfredson's (1981, 1996) theory of circumscription and compromise and Holland's (1997) career choice theory are used as frameworks…

The purpose of this article is to review the literature related to men who pursue nontraditional career choices such as gender atypical occupations outside the home or being stay-at-home fathers. Key foundational findings and current studies that provide information about what factors influence men's pursuit of nontraditional careers both in the…

This study explores, within the framework of the literature on men in nontraditional occupations, why men choose to enter the gendered career field of family and consumer sciences (FCS) education and their experiences as FCS teachers. A better understanding of this contemporary phenomenon may facilitate men filling the national shortage of FCS…

These interviews, conducted during the 1976-77 and 1977-78 school years by a group of students from the Rochester City School District, present 5 men and 24 women in a variety of career roles that are neither traditional nor stereotypical. The people interviewed speak of the reasons for their choices and of their background of family support. Many…

Addresses reasons why men would not want to enter female-concentrated occupations, discrimination and men in nontraditional professions, and reasons why men would want to enter female-concentrated occupations. (Author/ABB)

Assessed personality and background features of men in female-dominated professions by comparing 54 men employed in atypical professions with 63 men employed in sex-typical fields. Results showed that the men, by virtue of having entered female-dominated professions, have common personality and background factors which differentiate them from…

Men established in traditional (mechanical engineering, n = 100) and nontraditional (elementary school counseling, n = 100) careers were compared on their career compromise choices (sex type vs. prestige), adherence to masculinity ideology, gender role conflict, and job satisfaction. The engineers tended to choose sex type over prestige; the…

Male nursing students surveyed (n=146, 69 percent) responded that (1) career attributes (job security, opportunity, flexibility) were primary reasons for choosing nursing; (2) they had moderate to high support from significant others; and (3) they were more likely to be older and single. (SK)

Summarizes research that shows men who choose female-dominated occupations possess many of characteristics of women in same jobs and are comfortable with their masculine sexuality (although they score lower in Bem's masculine identity than do traditional men). Presents framework to understand process of men's nontraditional career choice.…

Using grounded theory, interviews with 12 males elicited themes for their choice of a nursing career: (1) desire to care for others; (2) practical motivations related to job security and salary; and (3) feelings of power and empowerment, related both to their being male in a female-dominated occupation and to critical care issues. (SK)

Assistance with career goals and employment and positive role models were outcomes identified in interviews with 10 male home economics educators whose mentors were female. Half believed their mentors' expectations were the same for them as for other proteges. They experienced few problems typical of cross-gender mentoring. (SK)

Tests a model of men's nontraditional occupational choice, using a longitudinal sample of college-age men in both gender traditional and nontraditional occupations. Liberal social attitudes, degree aspirations, and socio-economic status were directly predictive of nontraditional career choice. (Contains 35 references and 2 tables.) (GCP)

Presents examples of students who have chosen unusual career paths: males in female-dominated occupations, females in male-dominated occupations, and a few women in or aspiring to management positions within traditional fields. (CT)

Fifty men classed as career-traditional tended to endorse antifemininity, toughness, homophobic attitudes, and restrictive emotionality compared to 50 career-nontraditionals. The groups did not differ in status norms, attitudes about work-family conflicts, or difficulties with success, power, and competition. (SK)