One educator's attempt to pique girls' interest in nontraditional careers in the Seattle School District led to the creation of the now-international nonprofit IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now in Technology Education). From its humble beginnings, IGNITE has impacted the lives of more than 20,000 girls, with thousands more across the globe each year.…

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…

Gender equity initiatives in education have been launched in the state of Vermont in an attempt to level the playing field in gender-specific programs, but when it's all said and done, the question on the progress in career and technical education still remains. This article shares personal experiences of two students at Vermont's Stafford…

Surveys show that students persist in wanting occupational classes, and many of the small high schools being created around the country are built on a career theme. However, one neglected area in educational policy is the encouragement of girls to consider nontraditional occupations, ones that would move them up on career ladders providing higher…

This report provides information on the wages of specific traditional and nontraditional occupations in Rock County, Wisconsin, especially regarding women. The first section identifies "traditionally male" and "traditionally female" occupations. Two tables list occupations and number/percent of women in the occupations. Section…

A study examined job satisfaction of Delaware women who are working in occupations that are nontraditional for females. A total of 217 respondents (out of a possible 527) returned surveys that focused on the identification of the positive aspects of the jobs. Overall job satisfaction was high, according to 86 percent of the respondents. Satisfying…

Urbana University (Ohio) hosted a workshop for 350 girls from five high schools to meet professional women in nontraditional careers. Girls were not discouraged from looking at nursing, teaching, and secretarial careers, but were encouraged to look at all career options. The workshop focused on math/science careers, the space program, and…

This booklet contains 18 one-page summaries of programs, practices, and publications that were awarded American Association for Career Education (AACE) Citations for Career Education Initiatives from 1992-1995. They represent ongoing, tangible, replicable, and innovative career education programs, practices, and publications as well as significant…

The purpose of this guide is to gather together in one volume information about nonprint media dealing with new career options for women. The 112 films, filmstrips, videotapes and cassettes, slides, photograph sets and games included in the guide are listed in alphabetical order by title. For each entry the following information is provided:…

A two-week workshop was organized at which 10th- and 11th-grade girls actively explored for one full day six different nontraditional careers. The careers were auto mechanics, law enforcement, emergency medical technician/paramedic, livestock production, fire science, and hotel management. Shorter sessions were conducted in broadcasting and…

Joint implications from five recent studies on occupational choice indicate that a more in-depth concentration on the occupational consistency or discontinuity of women and minorities will provide direction for future academic discipline and policy for this population. The discipline and policy process is potentially one of the most important…

Argues that girls must be assisted in relating their education to serious, long-term careers; boys must be helped to prepare for the changed roles that men will have in the future. Ways to help include career awareness, classroom environment, parental and community involvement, and curriculum development. (CT)

This packet contains materials for a three-day nontraditional career awareness unit which have been tested and evaluated by over 10,000 students and numerous counselors and other educators. Its purpose is to make students more aware of the full range of career opportunities open to male and female students. A cover page for each day lists…

Mentoring provides students with role models, inspiration and encouragement that helps paint the promise of a successful future. In this article, the author discusses examples of successful mentoring programs in career and technical education. Among them is the High Tech Girls Society (HTGS). The program was started in the 2003-2004 school year in…

This manual is intended to assist personnel at the local level in achieving equity in vocational education. It presents a planning model for sex equity programs and provides information about nontraditional careers, suggested strategies for informing students about nontraditional careers, and resources useful in developing a program to inform…