Want to do something different? Go for it! Role models challenging job stereotypes Selected from the GERIPROJECT

“ I went into a primary school to talk about my job and one little girl came out with ‘You can’t be a nurse because you don’t have a dress on.’ Stereotyping is still there with what is perceived as ‘boys’ jobs’ and ‘girls’ jobs’, but tackling this in schools from an early age is helping to overcome the problem.” Sam – children’s nurse (North Devon)

“ I like the fact that my job allows me to get out on site and be hands-on, solving problems. If you have a sense of humour, are practical and don’t mind getting a bit dirty, then this job is great.” Anne-Clare (Devon) chose civil engineering

“ At first my dad tried to put me off because he felt it’s a hard job for a girl. Now he’s really happy about it and sometimes he lets me look after his car. A certain amount of physical strength is important but it is OK to ask for help, and there is equipment to help with the heavy lifting.” Amy (Somerset) is a vehicle mechanic in a small garage

“ A male adds a different element to the mix. Male staff are very rare in primary schools. A lot of children don’t have a father around, so they look to you as a father figure for the kind of role model they don’t get at home.” Charlie (Gloucestershire) is a learning mentor in a primary school

“ I put off doing plumbing for so long because I didn’t have the confidence and I was too scared to do it. After the first week of the course, I didn’t know what I’d been worrying about. No one’s going to laugh at you or think it’s funny or anything like that. It’s just the confidence you get and it just feels great. Most people actually encourage you – there are not that many people who don’t.” Liz (Devon) - in her second year of an NVQ Level 2 course in Plumbing

“ For the first 6 months the boys were a little bit wary of me. They didn’t want to communicate with me. As soon as they realised I was alright, they involved me a lot more and it was good. It helped once I proved I could use a chainsaw and drive a tractor, and then I was totally accepted.” Julie (Wiltshire) did a Higher National Diploma in Countryside Management

“ It can be intimidating and you think, ‘How am I going to fit in?’ If that’s what you want to do, don’t be put off – do it because it’s fantastic. You’ll never get the satisfaction out of anything else if that’s what you want to do.” Robert (Devon) works in a children’s nursery