Groundbreaking and Breaking Ground: 5 Types of Non-Traditional Jobs for Ambitious Women

As a society, we now accept that women are equally as capable as men of doing any career in the books. It also means women are indisputably changing the face of the workplace, even if there is still some work to be done (literally).

However, in many career paths, women still don’t have adequate representation. To this day, there are so many nontraditional careers for women in which we only make up 25% or less of the workforce.

The good news is that there are many bonuses for women interested in pursuing nontraditional careers, like higher pay and job satisfaction. Whether you’re looking for a career change or simply interested in exploring other professions, we’ve compiled a list of five nontraditional jobs for go-getting women in the field.

1. General Contractor

Construction is one of the first industries that come to mind when thinking of trades primarily dominated by men. There are a few factors that could explain this, from gender bias to lack of training.

Being a general contractor does take a good bit of training, testing, and skill. Fortunately, there are plenty of outlets to help attain a general contractor license in SC or other areas that can help us bridge that gap and get more handywomen in the field.

As a general contractor, you are a seasoned expert on home improvement. You would conceptualize projects, oversee the day-to-day construction site operations, hire subcontractors for specific tasks, apply for permits, and more.

2. Firefighter

Being a firefighter is a job that many children dream of having when they grow up, imagining going through their lives fighting fires and saving families and puppies. Yet, in 2018, only 4% of firefighters were women.

Many might explain this gap by saying that women aren’t as capable of the physical demands of being a firefighter as men, but this is a harsh stereotype. If you’re a strong and active woman, you could potentially make an excellent firefighter.

Plus, the kind and compassionate nature inherent in women could make for a civil servant that is more capable than their male peers.

3. Welder

As a welder, your task is to weld metals together by the application of heat. But this is no simple task, and skilled welders often work under hazardous conditions to repair damage to metal construction.

The benefits of pursuing welding as a career are that it is in demand, and many businesses are looking for skilled welders. Plus, you don’t have to have a college degree to be a welder, and you could potentially make a salary equal to that of a doctor or lawyer.  For these reasons, welding could be an incredibly satisfying career for women looking for a change.

4. Pilot

A pilot is another dream-worthy position that many of us imagined for ourselves as children — men and women alike. However, across the world, only about 5% of commercial airline pilots are women.

Being a pilot is a position unlike many others on the globe. This skilled position comes with perks like world travel, beautiful views, and meeting new people.

Commercial pilots’ salaries vary based upon many factors, including the aircraft they operate and the airline. However, generally, pilots receive generous compensation.

5. Chef

Currently, women are only making up about 24% of chefs. So why is it that women are traditionally the cooks at home but not at work?

It could be the long and demanding hours that come along with working in a kitchen. But chefs get to spend all of their owners being creative, bringing culture to the table, and working with talented people. For many women, this could be the perfect opportunity to showcase their skills.

Conclusion

As a woman, you no longer have to feel restricted in what career choices you have anymore. If you’d like to be a welder, contractor, chef, firefighter, or even a pilot — then the sky is the limit.