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Nontraditional Career and College Fair

"Cool Women, Hot Careers: The Best Job You Never Heard About" On Thursday, October 21, 2004 the West Virginia Women’s Commission held its second Nontraditional Career and College Fair, "Cool Women, Hot Careers: The Best Job You Never Heard About," in Logan, West Virginia at the Chief Logan Convention Center. The fair was a day long event for girls in high school and women looking for educational and job opportunities. Exhibitors from trade schools, technical centers, and colleges were on hand to answer questions. Workshops centered on financial aid and careers in nontraditional fields. In the afternoon, the participants heard real life stories from women who were in nontraditional careers.

If you are interested in becoming a part of a statewide network of volunteers to take this event to other parts of the state please contact the West Virginia Women’s Commission office.

What is a nontraditional career?
Any occupation in which women and men comprise 25 percent or less of its total employment is considered nontraditional.

Why should someone choose a nontraditional career?
In the year 2000, 37.4% of all female-headed households with children under the age of eighteen lived in poverty.
For women, the need for better wages is imperative given the high poverty data regarding women and their families.

What are the benefits of choosing a nontraditional occupation?
Currently the need for workers across the nation exceeds the supply of trained workers.

Both traditionally male and female occupational areas are in need of highly-skilled workers. Increasingly, gender does not matter if the individual has the necessary skills.

Studies indicate that a self-sufficiency standard requires wages ranging from $10 an hour up to $15 an hour or more, depending upon area of residence, family size, and the like. Very few traditional "women’s jobs" pay wages that will support economic self-sufficiency.

What are the benefits of nontraditional jobs for men and women?
Women