VIDEOS

Introductory – High School or Middle School

It’s Your Choice: Non-Traditional Career Paths
This video is a good introduction to non-traditional careers for young women as well as for young men.  The introductory section shows a range of women in non-traditional careers – firefighter, pipefitter, pilot, and a judge – as well as several men in jobs that are not typical for that sex – flight attendant, librarian, childcare workers, and nurse.  The video then focuses on three women carpenters, one African-American and two white females.  The women tell their stories and are shown doing a range of carpentry work.  They address issues they face and how they love their work. 

Hard Hatted Women, Cleveland, Ohio - 15 minutes, 1997 
 

New Choices
Narrated by actress Joie Lee this video also features the song “Express Yourself” performed by Salt and Spinderella of Salt – N – Pepa.  Three African-American women and one white woman are featured as they talk about their work.  Two of these women are carpenters, one is a machine operator, and the other is a sheet metal worker.  The women discuss the great pay and that these skills are transportable and that they could work anywhere.  Their families are happy that these women enjoy their work and are so successful.  One of the women tells a great story about her career path how her work in the trades has boosted her self-esteem.  There is also a segment featuring young men confirming that they would be or are supportive of sisters and girlfriends interested in non-traditional work for women. 

Nontraditional Employment for Women, New York, New York - 20 minutes 
 

Mythbusters
Narrated by three young women who address 8 myths with interviews and information.  Manual with follow up activities will accompany this video.  Myths include: 

• Women are not strong enough to work as skilled laborers – addressing this myth includes comparisons of construction work with the strength needed to lift children and groceries or to move patients in hospitals.
• Parents don’t like daughters to pursue careers in the skilled grades
• Women can earn more money in the trades than in traditionally female jobs – it needs to be pointed out that these figures are lower than current wages
• Females don’t have the math ability for work in the trades
• These myths are dispelled with examples of women working in a variety of construction related jobs. 

Getting The Job Done
A diverse group of 10 women talk about and are shown at their work.  Their jobs range from electrical mechanic, truck driver, maintenance worker, train mechanic, electrician, carpenter, and electronics technician.  Three women are featured for more in-depth discussions.  Issues discussed include family concerns, strength and size, tradeswomen are still feminine, and sexual harassment.  This is a fast paced overview of a wide variety of trades.  Salaries are given but it should be pointed out that current pay is higher. 

WOW, Wider Opportunities for Women – 15 minutes, 1994 
 

Consider A Non-Traditional Job
The good pay for a job in the trades is discussed by a number of tradeswomen who also provide realistic descriptions of their work environments.  Several construction and technical jobs are portrayed. The setting is Montana and this video could be especially applicable for rural or smaller communities in Oregon.  There is one Latina woman.  The others featured are white women.  The discussion is comprehensive covering topics like size and strength, and the work environment. There is a particularly good treatment of balancing family and work. 

WOW, Wider Opportunities for Women – 21 minutes, 1992 
 

Women in Construction
Tells the stories of 5 women in different non-traditional trades careers and shows them at work.  Women featured are white.  One is an electrician, one is a plumber, one is a sheetmetal worker, one is a carpenter, and one is an architect.  They discuss how they entered their field, the work environment and why they like their work.  Quotes from this video include: “We can do it!” and “I think the average woman would amaze herself with what she can do.” 

Her Own Words – 15 minutes, 1993 
 

Introductory -- High School

Trading Up: Building a Career
Great overview of opportunities in the trades for young people.  The video features a young African-American narrator and includes students and trades workers from diverse backgrounds.  The video was filmed at Miller Park, the new Milwaukee Brewers ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as it was under construction.  Fun and entertaining, “Trading Up” gives good advice to high school students seeking direction for their future:  stay in school, take classes in math, science and communications, and keep all of your options open.  Real workers, real students and real-life applications of math and science give the video credibility.  It was created by students, for students.  The video comes with a CD-ROM that offers another way to explore the information provided in the video. 

Building Industry Group Skilled Trades Employment Program – 12 minutes, 2000 
 

Focusing on one trade – High School or Middle School

Women in Welding
A diverse group of six women welders are featured in this video.  They work in a variety of jobs, which demonstrates the range of options within welding.   “I enjoy working with my hands, “ says Barbra S. Hubbard.  “There are very few things as satisfying in life as having a job that pays you well that you like,” says Valerie Weihman. 

A good follow up to an introductory video that portrays a wider range of trades, particularly since welding isn’t as prominently discussed in the introductory video options discussed above. 

Her Own Words – 15 minutes, 1997 
 

Women in Machining
The range of options within the machining profession is illustrated here by a diverse group of seven women machinists.  “I never would have imagined in a million years that I would be a machinist, but I am so glad that I got the opportunity,” says machinist Veronica Ramos.  And mold-making apprentice Theresa Kozel points out that she does less heavy lifting as a machinist than she did in her fourteen years working as a waitress. 

A good follow up to an introductory video that portrays a wider range of trades, particularly since machining isn’t as prominently discussed in the introductory video options discussed above. 

Her Own Words – 15 minutes, 1997 
 

Middle School/Upper Elementary

Mythbusters II
Narrated by three young women about myths concerning what kinds of work is for men and for women. 

• Women aren’t supposed to do dirty or strenuous work
• There are some jobs guys don’t do because its girls work
• Girls aren’t good at math and they don’t need to be.
• Each myth is dispelled by illustrating exceptions to these ideas.  Discussions with a woman electrician, women carpenter, and a woman architectural drafter, male babysitter, and a male nurse are included as well as a broader range of footage of a diverse group of workers in non-traditional fields.  The Mythbusters Rap is featured throughout the video.  A manual with preparatory and follow-up activities will accompany this video.

High School or Middle School history classes

On The Job: Women Launching A New Tradition
This video looks at the experiences of three women who worked in the shipbuilding industry in the 1940’s as they recall the joys and challenges of pioneering a new tradition of women in the trades.  Providing a comparison between today’s tradeswomen and those of the past, the program brings the two generations together to compare notes and serve as an inspiration to women in the trades today.  This boom in women working in non-traditional fields was due to the manpower shortage during World War II and this video could be a good component of a history unit on that war.  This video focuses on shipbuilding in Maine but the World War II boom in shipbuilding also occurred in Portland, Oregon. 

Southern Maine Technical College – 28 minutes, 1997 
 

BOOKS

High School or Middle School history classes

A History of Women in the Trades
A comprehensive 286 page book with information about women in fields ranging from agriculture, manufacturing, metal products and heavy industry, construction trades, engineering, mining, rail and other forms of transportation, and the military.  Suggested curriculum integration strategies are included. 

Compiled by Morgan Grey, 1995 
Coalition for Women in Trades and Technology, c/o SMTC, Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04016 

Girls Think of Everything:  Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women
This book offers biographies of 10 women and 2 girls who have imagined
and created notable inventions from everyday objects like paper bags at
the grocery store to fantastic new materials like “Kevlar.”  The book
includes a time line of innovations by women since 1715 and encourages
young women to invent with practical advice on how to obtain a patent.
The illustrations are beautiful, and while the book is designed for
young girls (elementary and middle school), women of all ages enjoy this
glance at women’s role in the history of invention.

Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, 2000
 

Middle School and High School girls

Cool Careers for Girls in Construction
This book features profiles of 10 women with successful careers in a variety of jobs that involve construction, such as heavy equipment operator, electrician, master plumber, and architect.  Each profile provides a well-rounded portrait of a tradeswoman or professional, highlighting her personal background, factors that influenced her career choice, education, family life, and more.  Cool Careers for Girls in Construction is thoughtfully prepared and fun to read – ideal for girls interested in learning more about what it takes to develop a successful, satisfying career in the trades. 

Ceel Pasternak and Linda Thornburg, 2000 

High-Skill, High-Wage Jobs
This guide to 50 careers details the education and training needed for
each job and also explains what each career is really like.  Produced by
the American Vocational Association, the book covers a wide array of
jobs from professional services to health care to construction and
features sections on mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, and
many more.  Each career is explored by answering these questions:
“What’s it all about?  What’s it really like?  How do I get a job and
advance?  How much money will I make?”  The book asks readers questions
about themselves that help the reader assess whether they are right for
the job.

Kristen J. Amundson, 1998
 

Teachers

Lifting The Barriers
Based on the experiences of two hundred K-12 educators from every state in the country, this book contains hundreds of tested strategies to increase girls’ participation in science, math, and computers.  The ideas range from the simple to the complex and from the obvious to the ingenious.  Most of the strategies are easy and cost nothing or very little. 

Jo Sanders, 1994 
 

POSTERS

High School or Middle School

Bridge and Highway Women
A set of 8 posters of black and white photographs of women working on the range of jobs required for bridge and highway construction.  Jobs portrayed are roller operator, ironworker, reinforcing rod installer, laborer, carpenter, and heavy equipment operator. These posters are from Maine and all women are white. Decorate your room with these posters during a unit on non-traditional careers. 

Sheet Metal, Electrician, Bus Mechanic, Carpenter
A set of 4 posters with black and white photographs about Oregon women working in these non-traditional fields.  Featured are an African-American woman and three white women.  Available in 8 ½ x 11 now but check about larger size options. 
 

TRADING CARDS

High School or Middle School 

Non-Traditional Career Role Model Trading Cards
This set of 56 trading cards features photographs and facts about men and women in non-traditional careers.  Each card specifies one trade or profession and lists the Meyers-Briggs personality type that best suits that field, a description of the work involved, training required, salary estimation, career outlook, and the ratio of men to women in that field.  A trading card "user's guide" lists classroom activities and discussions the cards can help facilitate; career counselors might also use the cards for displays, presentations, or individual consultations. 

New Jersey Career Equity Assistance Center for Marketing and Resources, 1997 
 
 

COMPUTER PROGRAM

High School or Middle School

The Gallery of Success
Produced by Portland Community College, this computer program is a resource to help women learn about nontraditional careers.  Featuring photos, profiles, and job outlines of 18 successful women in technical, mechanical, utility, and construction trades careers, the Gallery provides an interactive way for girls to explore all of their options.  This set of three 3.5-inch disks is formatted for PC and requires Windows, and six megabytes of free hard-drive space. 

Portland Community College, 1996