The U.S. Department of Labor defines "nontraditional careers as one in which 25% or less of a particular gender works."  People are often discouraged from following their dreams and interests because the career choice does not fit into a traditional gender role.  Women are often underrepresented in many occupations specifically those in trades, technology, and science fields.  Fewer nontraditional occupations are available for men than for women; these include health, education, and service related jobs.   Career planning should not be gender specific. Promotions to target nontraditional occupations for Education for Employment students are as follows:

1.  During the upcoming course advisement and registration process for the SY 2010-11, emails with attached articles about nontraditional employment are being sent to the guidance counselors and director of student services. The awareness of career planning and nontraditional careers is further reinforced with the guidance staff and administration when the department chair meets to share CTE department course offerings.  Hayfield's CTE department slogan is, "CTE IS THE PLACE TO BE" for traditional as well as non-traditional career training.

2. Students are informally counseled during the week of emphasis and throughout the spring on course selections by the Education for Employment instructor.  Having a special rapport with the student and knowing his/her career goals and grades, individuals are supported to follow their dreams and advised to consider certain classes and colleges for programs of study.  A current EFE student's dream is pursuing a career in culinary and she has taken Gourmet Foods, International Hospitality, and an Edison Academy Culinary Arts course.  She gets constant encouragement and support in the classroom to pursue her passion, help with college applications to Johnson & Wales, Stratford University, and The Culinary Institute of America, and editing assistance in the essay writing to accompany the application process. Letters of recommendations are also written for the students by the Education for Employment instructor.  Likewise a male EFE student was assisted in a similar manner in his pursuit of acceptance into a university to study early elementary education.

3. At the beginning of the career exploration unit in Education for Employment, the instructor has the students read the article, "Don't Limit Your Options...Explore Nontraditional Careers" in the 2009 VA Edition of R U Ready?  A lesson is presented in the unit on nontraditional career employment for men and women.  The EFE students are divided into small collaborative groups based on gender.  The males and female groups brainstormed careers that are not traditional for their gender.  The list was shared in the large group setting.  Then the pros and cons of choosing a nontraditional occupation with regards to gender stereotypes were discussed.

4.  As a warm-up activity and continuing warm-ups in the career exploration unit, the story of a family friend, Anne Dunwiddie was shared. Anne was recently promoted to be the first and only woman 3 star general in the United States Army.  Pictures of her ceremony are projected with the LCD projector to enhance the story.   As subsequent warm-ups, students do an internet research on "a first in its field!"  Two students (one male and one female) report back to the group an individual they found to be a "trail blazer" for others to follow in nontraditional careers.  Some examples if students are having difficulty in researching include  Carly Fiorina was named the first woman President and CEO of Hewlett Packard in 1999, the NBA first allowed female referees and Louise Blanchard Bethume was the first woman architect in 1997, and Mignon Nicholson became the first female veterinarian in 1903. 

5.  Friends or contacts are invited for a panel discussion on nontraditional careers such as local Hayfield elementary male teachers, and retired male librarians with the school system.

6.  Utilizing Hayfield's CTE Department staff, lead teachers in the different disciplines areas are invited to speak on nontraditional career opportunities to the Education for Employment students.  

7.  Based on CTE department staff recommendation, female students enrolled in Auto Tech, JROTC, Culinary, and Tech Drawing and males in Early Childhood Careers and Teacher Cadet who are considering a non-traditional career in these related areas are invited to speak briefly to the Education for Employment students.