Defy Expectations with nontraditional occupations
Non-traditional occupations can lead to amazing futures.
A nontraditional occupation (NTO) is a career field in which one gender makes up 25% or less of the workforce nationally – for example, women in engineering or men in dental hygiene.
When you explore an NTO, you are crushing stereotypes and opening yourself up to diverse career opportunities. Benefits may include:
- Higher earning and increased employment potential.
- Increased advancement opportunities.
- Greater job satisfaction.
Lean into your interests
At NWTC, you can match your strengths and interests to a future career – regardless of your gender. Maybe you’re a male who imagines becoming a nurse or a female who grew up working on cars.
No matter what you love to do or who you are, we can provide you with the knowledge and skills to turn your passion into a career.
Soaring higher together
When you choose a nontraditional career path, you will have support throughout your NWTC experience.
- Scholarship resources.
- Campus events.
- Connection to Career Services for help with resume writing, cover letters, and job searching.
- More student help resources.
I chose NWTC because of its affordability, flexibility, and ease to obtain my degree. I was able to take my pre-requisite class, Intro to Biochemistry, to get into the nursing program while still in high school. I was fully accepted to the nursing pr...
Allen Hoffenbecker
Hanna Gilbertson has big plans for her future. Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, Gilbertson is pursuing her passion for metal working. She is a student in the Machine Tool-CNC Technician technical diploma program on the Marine...
Hanna Gilbertson
'I wish I would have done this sooner' Paul Koenig, a student in the Medical Assistant program, talks about his experience as an NWTC student: What inspired you to enroll at NWTC? I had always thought about becoming a Medical Assistant, but the s...
Paul Koenig
Examples of Nontraditional Programs
NTO for women:
- Apprenticeships in construction and industrial occupations
- Accounting Assistant
- Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing: Associate Degree and Technical Diploma
- Automotive Technology, Technician, and Maintenance Technician
- CNC Technician
- Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
- Diesel Programs: Heavy Equipment Technology, Medium and Heavy Truck
- Electrical Power Distribution
- Electro Mechanical Technology
- Engineering Programs: Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Automation
- Fire Science
- Gas Utility Construction and Service
- HVAC Programs: Associate Degree, Technical Diploma
- IT Programs: Cybersecurity, Technology Support Specialist, Software Developer
- Mechanical Design Technology
- Metal Fabrication
- Prototype and Design
- Welding Technical Diploma
NTO for men:
- Nursing (all programs)
- Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Early Childhood Education, Assistant Teacher, Licensing Basic 0-2, and Basic Licensing 3-5
- Emergency Dispatch
- Foundations of Teacher Education
- Human Resources and HR Compliance
- Human Services
- Legal Studies: Paralegal and Post-Baccalaureate
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Coding Specialist
- Office Support Specialist
- Office Management
- Organizational Safety & Health
- Surgical Technologist
- Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems
- Therapeutic Massage