The Women's Center:  NFW A quick self-assessment

Is a Non-Traditional Career for Me?

Print and complete this short questionnaire to see if you might be happy in 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 more than $8.00/ hr 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 was adapted from the IWTTP web site. For more information, contact 828 S. Wabash, Suite 200; Chicago, IL