There are over 11 occupations the U.S. Department of Labor defines as nontraditional for women, career fields in which 25 percent or less of employees are female. Women are increasingly pursuing more nontraditional careers, especially in business and finance, science and technology, military and law enforcement, and advanced manufacturing.
The challenges women face when seeking nontraditional employment opportunities vary depending on the job, field, and sector. These women share how they approached their career choices in order to excel in their chosen fields.