Non-Traditional Careers and Technical Education Programs
Non-traditional careers are roles where one gender makes up less than 25% of the workforce. This includes women working in male-dominated fields and men in roles traditionally held by women.
These careers are often in high-demand industries and are projected to grow significantly over the next decade. Choosing a non-traditional path can offer many advantages: higher earnings, more opportunities for advancement, increased job satisfaction, economic independence, and a wider range of career options.
Non-Traditional Programs
Discover our areas of study and explore exciting, non-traditional career paths for both women and men.
- Architectural Technology-CADD
- Pre-Architecture Technology Degree
- Construction Management Degree
- Architectural Rendering
- Pre-Architecture Certificate
- Architectural Technology Certificate
- Construction Management
- Master Automotive Service Technology Degree
- Automotive Service Management Degree
- Entry Level Auto Service Technology Certificate
- Master Automotive Service Technology Advanced Certificate
- Aviation Management Degree
- Software Development Degree
- Python Language Proficiency Certificate
- UNIX Proficiency Certificate
- Visual Basic Language Certificate
- C++ Language Certificate
- Java Language Certificate
- Windows Network Administration Certificate
- Linux Certificate
- IOS Developer Proficiency Certificate
- Internet of Things Proficiency Certificate
Computer & Information Technology
- Cybersecurity and Defense Degree
- Computer & Information Technology Degree
- Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate
- Cit Network Associate Security Certificate
- System Support Specialist Certificate
- CompTIA A+ & Network+ PC Technician
- Networking Professional Certificate
- Computer & Internetworking Technology Cert
- CIT CCNA Certificate
- Enterprise System Administrator Certificate
- Voice Over IP Telephony Specialist Certificate
- Criminal Justice Degree
- Homeland Security Degree
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- Homeland Security Certificate
- Culinary Arts Degree
- Baking and Pastry Arts Degree
- Culinology & Food Science Degree
- Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
- Culinary Arts Certificate
- Biomedical Engineering Technology Degree
- Electronics Engineering Technology Degree
- Advanced Electronics Technology Certificate
- Renewable Energy Technology Certificate
- Industrial Controls & Automation Certificate
- Electronics Technology Certificate
- Electromechanical Technology Degree
- Electrician’s Preparation Certificate
- Mechanical Maintenance Certificate
- Process Control Instrumentation
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- Advanced Mechatronics Certificate
- Mechatronics Technology Certificate
- Fire Science Degree
- Public Safety Telecommunicator Certificate
- Fire Fighter Certificate
- Geographic Information Systems Certificate
- Horticulture Degree
- Landscape Contracting/Management Certificate
- Cannabis/Industrial Hemp Cultivation & Operations Certificate
- Urban Farming Certificate
- Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate
- Horticulture Certificate
- Nursery and Garden Center Management Certificate
- Power Equipment and Technology Certificate
- HVACR Service Technician Degree
- HVACR Contractor Degree
- Facility Maintenance Mechanic Degree
- Entry Level HVACR Certificate
- Stationary Operator Certificate
- HVACR Service Technician Certificate
- Energy Audit & Analysis Certificate
- Building Automation Systems Certificate
- Integrated Mechatronics and Manufacturing Technology Degree
- Management Degree
- Management Certificate
- Supervision Certificate
- Organizational Leadership Certificate
- Manufacturing Technology Degree
- Automated Manufacturing Systems Degree
- Manuf Technology Drafting/Design Opt Degree
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology Degree
- CNC Operations Certificate
- CNC Job Readiness Certificate
- Manufacturing Skills Standards-MSSC Certificate
- Manufacturing Technology Certificate
- Automated Manufacturing Systems Certificate
- Drafting/Design Certificate
- Computer Aided Design Certificate
- Tool and Die Making Certificate
- Mold Making Certificate
Motion Picture/Television (MPTV)
- Motion Picture/Television Film/Video Degree
- Motion Picture/Television Production Degree
- Digital Broadcast Journalism Degree
- Motion Picture/Television Certificate
- Paraprofessional in Education Certificate
- Welding Technology
- Welding Technology Degree
- AWS Sense 1 Certificate
- Welding Certificate
- Accountancy Degree
- Bookkeeping
- Paraprofessional Accountant
- Advanced Accounting
- Income Tax Preparer Certificate
- Accounting Specialist Certificate
- Cosmetology Degree
- Cosmetology Certificate
- Dental Hygiene Degree
Early Childhood Education and Care
- Early Childhood Education and Care Degree
- Early Childhood Administration Degree
- Early Childhood Education and Care Certificate
- Early Childhood Education and Care Adv Certificate
- Infant, Toddler, Two-Year-Old Certificate
- Early Childhood Administrator Certificate
- Family Child Care Provider Certificate
- School-Age Child Care Certificate
- Multicultural Education/Care Young Child Certificate
- Eye Care Assistant Certificate
- Hearing Instrument Dispensary Certificate
- Health Information Technology
- Health Information Technology Degree
- Medical Billing Certificate
- Physician Coding Certificate
- Human Resource Management Certificate
- Human Services Generalist Degree
- Addictions Counseling Degree
- Human Services Generalist Certificate
- Applied Gerontology Certificate
- Addictions Counseling Certificate
- Corrections Counseling Certificate
- Residential Child Care Certificate
- Veterans Counseling Certificate
- Domestic Violence Counseling Certificate
- Recovery Support Specialist Certificate
- Co-Occurring Disorders Certificate
- Legal Studies Degree
- Paralegal Certificate
- Medical Assistant Degree
- Medical Assistant Certificate
- Healthcare Office Assistant Certificate
- Certified Nursing Assistant Training Certificate
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Administrative Support Specialist Degree
- Executive Assistant Degree
- Administrative Support & Meeting/Event Planning Degree
- Administrative Support Specialist Certificate
- Administrative Support Essentials Certificate
- Office Technology Specialist Certificate
- Word Specialist Certificate
- Administrative Support & Meeting/Event Planning Certificate
- Meeting Event Planning Certificate
- Travel and Tourism Degree
- Travel/Tourism Professional Certificate
- Travel & Tourism Foundations Certificate
- Phlebotomy Certificate
- Respiratory Care Degree
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Degree
- Surgical Technology Degree
- Surgical First Assistant Certificate
Resources
- National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) Nontraditional Career Preparation
Root Causes and Strategies
Learn more about gender gaps in non-traditional careers and the strategies to close them. - Career Coach
Explore career options and prepare for the workforce by browsing career summaries and find local wages, employment projections, available jobs and see relevant education and training. - Illinois Center for Specialized Support (ICSPS)
Supporting students in nontraditional fields strategies and recommendations. - Illinois State Board of Education
Provides children with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders. - Illinois WorkNet
Free, online resource that provides career, education and work support information for all Illinois residents and businesses. - O*net Online
Provides occupational information including career exploration, wage information, and employment data. - US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Labor market data on women workers. - US Department of Labor Women’s Bureau
Information on apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations.
Take the Next Step
Whether you’re exploring, applying or planning your path, COD makes it easy to get started.