Breaking Boundaries For Women with Unconventional Occupations

September 29, 2017 The Breaking Boundaries, a “Career Exploration Series” provided women looking for career opportunities with unique insights into the lives of successful women in non-traditional careers.

Panelist & Moderator from left to right:
Nicole “Nikki” Everett, Only female labor foreman in Chicago for M.A. Mortenson Company
Kina McAffe, Carpenter, instructor at Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprenticeship Program
Lisa Schvach, Moderator and director of DuPage County Workforce Development Division
Aneesa Muthana, President & Co-Owner of Oil & Gas Industry Parts China Inc. a manufacturer
Misty Osterberg, Quality Control Coordinator for William Charles Construction
Adela Meitz, Workforce Development Specialist at College of DuPage

These dynamic female leaders shared their experiences with a room full of women looking for the next step in their careers. Women not only make on average less than men for the same jobs, but the kinds of positions that women often find themselves working pay less than many in other fields. This event is part of series designed to give women a chance to hear about other ways to find fulfilling careers and support their families.

Many women have been held back by “institutional discrimination” and lack of services, especially those needed by single parents. 83% of single parents are female, and without child care and transportation, for example, they lack the ability to get regular, higher paying work. The “Breaking Boundaries” event not only inspired women to try for new careers, but introduced them to services to help them get there.