Benefits and Challenges of Working in NTOs Nontraditional employment offers several benefits that enable women and girls to become economically self-sufficient, support their families and build their assets to obtain a home or to pursue a higher education. The benefits of nontraditional employment for women outweigh the real and perceived challenges to working in nontraditional occupations which can be overcome with suggested strategies. Benefits Higher wages Better benefits Opportunity for advancement Job satisfaction Challenges Return to top Benefits Higher Wages—Women are concentrated in a few lower-paying traditionally female jobs, while men are concentrated in jobs that pay higher wages. Nontraditional jobs pay 20 to 30 percent more on average than traditionally female occupations. This additional income can make the difference between family well-being and family poverty. A national study of five nontraditional training programs by Women Unlimited in Maine revealed that the average wage at placement for welfare recipients trained by these programs was $9.54/hour. The average wage at placement for participants in federally-funded employment programs nationwide was $6.15/hour. Better Benefits—Nontraditional jobs in the trades and technical fields tend to be unionized, with greater health benefits, sick leave, life insurance, pension/retirement plans and paid vacation time than traditionally female jobs. Some employers also offer transportation assistance and educational subsides that pay for work-related training or education. Opportunity for Advancement—Nontraditional occupations tend to have more established career ladders than traditionally female jobs, which translates directly into salary and job upgrades as a worker achieves higher skill levels on the job. Often, NTOs offer paid, on-the-job training. In contrast, many traditionally female occupations lack significant opportunities for career advancement or require additional education outside of work for promotions and salary increases. For example, a copy-machine repair technician can earn $17 an hour as a trainee and then advance to $22 as a field technician after completing a training period. Job Satisfaction—Women's interests and abilities are diverse. Some women simply may be less content working in traditionally female occupations, and may be unaware of their alternatives. By expanding the number of jobs women enter, women are more likely to find a closer "occupational fit" with their skills, interests and personalities. In turn, the more a woman enjoys her work, the more likely she is to stick with it and the more likely her family, her community and her employers will benefit from it. Return to top Challenges As you can see in the Myths and Facts Section of this site, there are many misconceptions about women working in nontraditional jobs. However, many real challenges remain for women working in nontraditional occupations. Women may be exposed to discrimination and/or harassment in nontraditional jobs. Nontraditional workplaces can be hazardous, requiring safety protocols, special equipment and protective clothing to prevent harm from accidents, extreme weather and work-related injuries. Sometimes the only woman on the job, women can experience isolation in a nontraditional workplace. Family and friends may not be supportive of a woman who is breaking their stereotypes about women and work. Transportation and childcare can also be significant challenges for women seeking and entering nontraditional jobs. These Work4Women sections can help you address challenges to working in NTOs. Visit: Occupation Overviews to address the lack of information about NTOs. Learn more about specific jobs, related training, career ladders and more so that women and girls can make informed choices about their career options. This information will address the lack Support Services to address lack of childcare, transportation, and other barriers. Learn what are the common barriers to women entering NTOs and to link to national organizations that address these barriers; Support Groups to address women's isolation on the job. Connect your participants with other women entering or working in NTOs and to list your support group with Work4Women; and Online Community to address women's isolation on the job. Connect women via email mailing lists and to receive the free Work4Women News Brief via fax or email. Sexual Harassment Prevention to address sexual harassment issues. Strategies to Address Sexual Harassment to learn about the types of sexual harassment, how to prevent them and what to do when they occur. Return to top     | Home | Contact | Search/Sitemap | User Guides | Events | Internet Guide | Email Lists | Copyright © 1998, Wider Opportunities for Women, All Rights Reserved.