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Is a Non-Traditional Career for Me?
(a quick self-assessment)

Laying the Foundation
A quick self-assessment for women considering a non-traditional career

Part I
Check those statements that are true for you.

Are you...
a person who likes to take on challenges? ___
in good physical health or physically fit? ___
a person who needs to earn more than $8.00 per hour to support yourself
and your family? ___
a person who needs to have access to health care and other benefits? ___
willing to explore new things, new places, and new people? ___

Total number of answers checked: _____ 

Check those statements that apply:

Have you...
worked in a non-traditional job before as a paid worker, volunteer, or as
a hobby? ___
received a high school diploma or GED? ___
obtained your driver's license? ___
traveled and enjoyed going from place to place? ___
used tools to build or repair items in your home or apartment? ___
worked on your car or someone else's? ___
done handiwork such as knitting or crafts? ___
followed a pattern in sewing? ___
regularly participated in a sport or a work out? ___
planted and maintained a successful garden? ___
fixed a broken television, radio, or computer? ___
entered/completed a trade school program for a vocational skill? ___
driven/fixed farm machinery? ___
used power tools/built a piece of furniture? ___
followed a recipe? ___
worked independently, with little supervision? ___

Total number of answers checked: _____ 

Check those you don't like to do.

Do you dislike...
working at a desk all day? ___
working with groups of children or sick people? ___
dealing regularly with the public in a store or restaurant? ___
helping others solve their personal or family problems? ___
working indoors? ___
working in one place all day? ___
answering questions and referring people to other sources of information? ___
completing written products? ___
using the same equipment all the time? ___
work in which you rarely use your physical strength? ___
receiving lots of supervision and feedback on your work? ___

Total number of answers checked: _____
Grand Total: _____

Add up the total numbers of answers checked for all three sections. If you checked off eight or more responses, a non-traditional job may be for you!

Part II
Circle 1 if you like to do these activities, 2 if you are willing to do them although not very interested in them, and 3 if you don't like to do them.

Do you like to...

work with your hands?
1     2     3

make repairs around the house?
1     2     3

fix outlets, radios, and/or stereos?
1     2     3

work outdoors?
1     2     3

drive cars, vans, and/or farm equipment?
1     2     3

see concrete results from your work?
1     2     3

solve technical problems or puzzles?
1     2     3

work from a pattern, blueprint, or diagram to construct or make things?
1     2     3

paint, wallpaper, and fill in holes in the walls?
1     2     3

Total your interest score: _____

If your total score is less than 20, a non-traditional job may be for you!

This survey adapted from the Illinois Women in Trades Training Partnership.

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