Today women are working in every occupation and in every industry. Many women are loving the sense of achievement that working in male dominated occupations brings, not to mention the better pay and conditions.
So it makes sense for young women to break out of traditional, narrow occupational choices and find out about these other options.
‘Men's work’ tends to be better paid and more likely to offer the chance to build a business that can accommodate the flexibility that women often seek.
Traditional men's work, where women make up less than a quarter of the workforce, unfortunately is often regarded (by men) as more important, and in some cases allows more independence, than comparable ‘women's work’ —where women make up the majority.
This website highlights:
Highly visible examples of women successfully working in non-traditional occupations and industries are essential to broaden the career aspirations and expectations of young women. These examples cut through gender stereotypes.
Gender stereotypes and perceptions about subjects and career options 'suitable' for young women are often reinforced in schools and families.
Such stereotyping limits the career choices of young women and creates barriers to increasing their participation in the better paid, non-traditional occupations.
Negative experiences and/or perceptions of male-dominated workplaces often discourage young women from even exploring these non- traditional and in demand jobs.
Young women’s employment options can be limited by persistent stereotyping and negative perceptions about and experiences of women in non- traditional occupations. Examples of women successfully working in these jobs can expand their ideas about work.
There are many different pathways students can take to study a non-traditional occupation. Your career pathway is the journey you take to reach your goals. You decide what Pathway is right for you.