Non-traditional careers are roles where one gender makes up less than 25% of the workforce. This includes women working in male-dominated fields and men in roles traditionally held by women.
These careers are often in high-demand industries and are projected to grow significantly over the next decade. Choosing a non-traditional path can offer many advantages: higher earnings, more opportunities for advancement, increased job satisfaction, economic independence, and a wider range of career options.
Examples of Non-Traditional Careers
Non-traditional careers for men and women challenge gender stereotypes, encouraging individuals to pursue roles based on passion and skill.
Non-Traditional Programs
Discover our areas of study and explore exciting, non-traditional career paths for both women and men.
- Architectural Technology-CADD
- Pre-Architecture Technology Degree
- Construction Management Degree
- Architectural Rendering
- Pre-Architecture Certificate
- Architectural Technology Certificate
- Construction Management
- Master Automotive Service Technology Degree
- Automotive Service Management Degree
- Entry Level Auto Service Technology Certificate
- Master Automotive Service Technology Advanced Certificate
- Aviation Management Degree
- Software Development Degree
- Python Language Proficiency Certificate
- UNIX Proficiency Certificate
- Visual Basic Language Certificate
- C++ Language Certificate
- Java Language Certificate
- Windows Network Administration Certificate
- Linux Certificate
- IOS Developer Proficiency Certificate
- Internet of Things Proficiency Certificate
Computer & Information Technology
- Cybersecurity and Defense Degree
- Computer & Information Technology Degree
- Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate
- Cit Network Associate Security Certificate
- System Support Specialist Certificate
- CompTIA A+ & Network+ PC Technician
- Networking Professional Certificate
- Computer & Internetworking Technology Cert
- CIT CCNA Certificate
- Enterprise System Administrator Certificate
- Voice Over IP Telephony Specialist Certificate
- Criminal Justice Degree
- Homeland Security Degree
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- Homeland Security Certificate
- Culinary Arts Degree
- Baking and Pastry Arts Degree
- Culinology & Food Science Degree
- Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
- Culinary Arts Certificate
- Biomedical Engineering Technology Degree
- Electronics Engineering Technology Degree
- Advanced Electronics Technology Certificate
- Renewable Energy Technology Certificate
- Industrial Controls & Automation Certificate
- Electronics Technology Certificate
- Electromechanical Technology Degree
- Electrician’s Preparation Certificate
- Mechanical Maintenance Certificate
- Process Control Instrumentation
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- Advanced Mechatronics Certificate
- Mechatronics Technology Certificate
- Fire Science Degree
- Public Safety Telecommunicator Certificate
- Fire Fighter Certificate
- Geographic Information Systems Certificate
- Horticulture Degree
- Landscape Contracting/Management Certificate
- Cannabis/Industrial Hemp Cultivation & Operations Certificate
- Urban Farming Certificate
- Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate
- Horticulture Certificate
- Nursery and Garden Center Management Certificate
- Power Equipment and Technology Certificate
- HVACR Service Technician Degree
- HVACR Contractor Degree
- Facility Maintenance Mechanic Degree
- Entry Level HVACR Certificate
- Stationary Operator Certificate
- HVACR Service Technician Certificate
- Energy Audit & Analysis Certificate
- Building Automation Systems Certificate
- Integrated Mechatronics and Manufacturing Technology Degree
- Management Degree
- Management Certificate
- Supervision Certificate
- Organizational Leadership Certificate
- Manufacturing Technology Degree
- Automated Manufacturing Systems Degree
- Manuf Technology Drafting/Design Opt Degree
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology Degree
- CNC Operations Certificate
- CNC Job Readiness Certificate
- Manufacturing Skills Standards-MSSC Certificate
- Manufacturing Technology Certificate
- Automated Manufacturing Systems Certificate
- Drafting/Design Certificate
- Computer Aided Design Certificate
- Tool and Die Making Certificate
- Mold Making Certificate
Motion Picture/Television (MPTV)
- Motion Picture/Television Film/Video Degree
- Motion Picture/Television Production Degree
- Digital Broadcast Journalism Degree
- Motion Picture/Television Certificate
- Paraprofessional in Education Certificate
- Welding Technology
- Welding Technology Degree
- AWS Sense 1 Certificate
- Welding Certificate
- Accountancy Degree
- Bookkeeping
- Paraprofessional Accountant
- Advanced Accounting
- Income Tax Preparer Certificate
- Accounting Specialist Certificate
- Cosmetology Degree
- Cosmetology Certificate
- Dental Hygiene Degree
Early Childhood Education and Care
- Early Childhood Education and Care Degree
- Early Childhood Administration Degree
- Early Childhood Education and Care Certificate
- Early Childhood Education and Care Adv Certificate
- Infant, Toddler, Two-Year-Old Certificate
- Early Childhood Administrator Certificate
- Family Child Care Provider Certificate
- School-Age Child Care Certificate
- Multicultural Education/Care Young Child Certificate
- Eye Care Assistant Certificate
- Hearing Instrument Dispensary Certificate
- Health Information Technology
- Health Information Technology Degree
- Medical Billing Certificate
- Physician Coding Certificate
- Human Resource Management Certificate
- Human Services Generalist Degree
- Addictions Counseling Degree
- Human Services Generalist Certificate
- Applied Gerontology Certificate
- Addictions Counseling Certificate
- Corrections Counseling Certificate
- Residential Child Care Certificate
- Veterans Counseling Certificate
- Domestic Violence Counseling Certificate
- Recovery Support Specialist Certificate
- Co-Occurring Disorders Certificate
- Legal Studies Degree
- Paralegal Certificate
- Medical Assistant Degree
- Medical Assistant Certificate
- Healthcare Office Assistant Certificate
- Certified Nursing Assistant Training Certificate
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Administrative Support Specialist Degree
- Executive Assistant Degree
- Administrative Support & Meeting/Event Planning Degree
- Administrative Support Specialist Certificate
- Administrative Support Essentials Certificate
- Office Technology Specialist Certificate
- Word Specialist Certificate
- Administrative Support & Meeting/Event Planning Certificate
- Meeting Event Planning Certificate
- Travel and Tourism Degree
- Travel/Tourism Professional Certificate
- Travel & Tourism Foundations Certificate
- Phlebotomy Certificate
- Respiratory Care Degree
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Degree
- Surgical Technology Degree
- Surgical First Assistant Certificate
Resources
- National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) Nontraditional Career Preparation
Root Causes and Strategies
Learn more about gender gaps in non-traditional careers and the strategies to close them. - Career Coach
Explore career options and prepare for the workforce by browsing career summaries and find local wages, employment projections, available jobs and see relevant education and training. - Illinois Center for Specialized Support (ICSPS)
Supporting students in nontraditional fields strategies and recommendations. - Illinois State Board of Education
Provides children with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders. - Illinois WorkNet
Free, online resource that provides career, education and work support information for all Illinois residents and businesses. - O*net Online
Provides occupational information including career exploration, wage information, and employment data. - US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Labor market data on women workers. - US Department of Labor Women’s Bureau
Information on apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations.
Contact Information
Adela Meitz, MS LCPC, Workforce Development and Student Resource Specialist
Workforce Development Services
2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302
Lisle, Illinois 60532
(630) 942-2389
Email: meitza@cod.edu
ICCB Advisory Committee Guidebook