"Non-Traditional"...I think Not

by Doreen Masalta
Director, Project and Contract Management / Vegetation Management, PECO

What exactly do we mean when we say “women in non-traditional occupations”?  According to the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, non-traditional occupations are those where women comprise 25 percent or less of the total workforce.  This issue extends beyond statistics.  We are really talking more about attitude and leadership.

In today’s workforce, there are no jobs that cannot equally be performed by a man or a woman.  So why does this remain an issue?

As a key leader for PECO, a major utility in Philadelphia, I am responsible for project and contractor management as well as the company’s utility line clearance program, overall an approximate $150 million annual effort.  This encompasses everything from projects to enhance our electric and natural gas system, like building new substations and infrastructure upgrades, to managing a comprehensive program to keep trees and vegetation from interfering with our electric utility lines.

Some have said that I serve in a very non-traditional role.  But that is not my view.  Each of us, no matter our gender, can bring a variety of experiences to our positions.  As leaders, our goal is to ensure everyone feels valued, included and engaged in the overall success of our organizations.
In my view, the key elements of success are as follows:

• Outreach – Reach out to various types of audiences to ensure a broad and diverse applicant pool when filling a position.
• Recruitment – Work with your human resources department and local community based organizations.  These groups are your pipeline to the community and will help you reach new and different resources.
• Selection – Know your own biases and push the limits of your own view of an ideal employee.
• Retention – Practice active mentoring.  Many along the way helped me. . .both women and men.  Mentoring is key to keeping quality employees that will ultimately lead to increased strength within an organization.
• Rewards – Showcase the work of your employees, especially those that may not fit the “traditional” role.  This will help everyone gain a different perspective and enrich thinking.

These five steps will ensure that as leaders we not only attract and retain quality employees for our organizations, but also continue to overcome the myth of “non-traditional” occupations.

Doreen Masalta has served in a variety of management functions during her 11 years with PECO. She is a graduate of Immaculata University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Development. 

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