Part One
Pretty much every week, we read in the news one of two things: “AI is taking jobs away” or “AI is going to make working easier.” If you are in customer service, it will reduce your work. If you are a scientist, it will make your job easier. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, customer service jobs are the fourth top career for women. Women make up only 34% of the STEM workforce. Research from a McKinsey Global Institute report finds that a large percentage of AI-induced job losses will affect women. It is becoming clearer that if women don’t start following advances in AI technology, their careers may end sooner than they thought. This may sound like future doom and gloom, but if you are familiar with this blog, you know there are a few positive perspectives.
This is the first blog entry of a series on women in male-dominated careers and why women should start considering them now.
In the past, there were good reasons for women to avoid male-dominated careers, such as disproportionate pay, safety concerns, workplace hostility, possible harassment, and various types of exclusion. Women may have wanted those careers, but the threat of an unfortunate outcome prevented them from taking the risk. Those dynamics still exist, unfortunately, but they are improving. The wage gap is shrinking. There are more workplace policies and laws to prevent harassment and hostility, and culture is changing to be more accepting of all genders. With the present threat of career elimination by AI, women should start, at the very least, investigating these typical male-dominated careers.
According to Servicechannel.com, there is a significant increase in the number of women in construction jobs. These jobs pay the equivalent of college-educated careers, but women are only 4% of the construction trades. Whether it’s construction or another trade career such as carpenter, electrician, HVAC tech, or other service tech, these jobs average around $60,000 a year.
There are actually numerous male-dominated careers that women should consider. If you are art and music inclined, there are careers in music recording, welding, stage lighting and rigging, prop making, film restoration, audio-visual jobs, sculpture, set construction, instrument repair, sound engineering, scene painting, sign design and installation, CAD design, audio installation, camera operation, and game design.
These well-paying driving careers should be considered besides Uber and food delivery services. Some of them include courier, bus driver, long and short-haul driver, construction vehicle operator, tow truck driver, security, medical services, patient transport, and postal worker. I know someone who does very specialized deliveries, including delivering film shoot dailies to and from the local airport.
Many remote and work-from-home careers can also be considered, such as technical writing, ethical computer hacking, IT support, software development, data analysis, technical consulting, trading and investment, emerging tech expert, supply chain management, business operations, trucking dispatcher, and insurance claim adjuster.
For those looking for an unconventional career, options include forensic pathologist, high-rise window cleaner, firearms instructor, machine operator, timber logger, animal control officer, factory assembler, K-9 officer, communications lineperson, railroad crew, road crew, cable installer, concrete finisher, fence installer, security systems installer, home inspector, outdoor activities guide, field surveyor, and logistics coordinator.
Of course, these are not complete lists, but I wanted to show that the list of male-dominated jobs is indeed huge. Many of these careers do not require a college education but would require training, certification, and a commitment to push through any negativity. The payoff can be substantial and lasting because many male-dominated careers are immune to current AI disruptions. Some of these careers may involve internships or mentorship programs. All you need is interest and dedication.
There is also an added benefit in that you would help pave the way for young women just entering the workforce, while creating a diverse working culture. This improves company reputation and increases your chances for earning potential and advancement. AI is here and is not going anywhere. Research now how it is affecting your career in the present and how it will in the future. Open up the possibility of working in careers you once thought were forbidden. There are many online organizations available to help guide you through such as:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb
https://insights.workwave.com/industry/field-service/resources-for-women-in-the-skilled-trades/ https://www.commerce.gov/issues/million-women-construction-initiative
https://www.womeninhvacr.org/
https://www.womeninplumbandpipe.org
https://www.toolsandtiaras.org/
https://tradeswomen.org/
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WB/media/AdvancingOpportunitiesWomenthroughApprenticeship-jan2021.pdf