Kooteny WITT

1995 statistics show that women in Canada earn 72 cents for every dollar a man earns for full-time, full year employment, and an average of 63.8% overall.

Options Unlimited
A Role Modeling Program to Expand Career Options

Options

Where Did Options Unlimited Come From

When the West Kootenay Women's Association embarked on the Options Unlimited Project, we asked 100 Junior Secondary students about their career aspirations and future plans. We learned that female students still prepare for careers historically dominated by women, jobs which are among the lowest paid. in light of the serious consequences low-paid employment will have on these students in the future, we set out to produce a tool which would assist teachers to provide students with more realistic information about their futures, and about the wide range of career opportunities which are available. It was our goal to assist teachers to provide female students with the tools they require to plan carefully and to make informed choices about careers that will satisfy them and provide decent wages. Research led us to the conclusion that one of the most effective tools for broadening career options considered by young women is Role Modeling. Women who work in trades, technical, science, operations and management jobs are often least visible to students because these are occupations where women represent less than 30% of the labor force, and access to their working environments is often limited. By encouraging School Districts to maintain updated Role Modeling Inventories, and by providing teachers with suggested classroom activities and instructional materials to enhance the Role Modeling experience, we ensure that both male and female students will benefit from a bitter understanding of the world of work and their potential place in the world.

Introduction

The Options Unlimited program helps teachers provide first-hand interaction between students and women working in a wide range of careers. Using a powerful tool called role modeling, Options Unlimited helps challenge stereotypes and open new doors to expanded career choices, particularly for young women.

Table of Contents

Part 1 - Welcome to Options Unlimited

What is role modeling?
Why use role modeling?
Inclusive role modeling directory
Role models in traditional occupations
Role models who reflect community diversity
Role models in non-traditional occupations
Male role models

Part 2 - Role Modeling: Events and Activities

Choosing an activity
Classroom events: easy and accessible
Day-long events: the career awareness conference
Work experience / job shadowing
Icebreakers
Student participation / evaluation forms

Part 3 - Creating a Role Model Directory and Getting Role Models Into Your School

Locating role models
The role model directory
Sample forms
Preparing role models
- for classroom visits
- for career conferences
- for job shadow placements
Sample news release
Contact and follow-up sheets

Part 4 - Classroom Activities and Hand-Outs