Female student mechanic and a male barber.

NTO Photo Project

Welcome to the Non-Traditional Occupations (NTO) Photo Project! Our motto is “Dare to Be Different."

What are Non-Traditional Occupations? NTO careers are defined as occupations in which 75 percent or more of the workforce is overrepresented by one gender. Examples include men in welding, criminal justice, or engineering; women in nursing or early childhood education.

The NTO Photo Project recently highlighted women in our criminal justice programs: Criminal Justice-Studies and Corrections & Community Advocacy. We are proud of all of our NTO students and hope you enjoy this glimpse into their experience!

Highlighting Women in Criminal Justice

Law enforcement agencies across the country could benefit from more women in their ranks. According to the Police Employee Data published by the FBI, in 2018 women made up just over 12 percent of the police officers in the United States. Not only do they need more women to support and sustain the numbers of future law enforcement officers, women bring unique and valuable qualities to the profession.

Ivonne Roman, a retired police chief in Newark, New Jersey, listed the following characteristics of women police officers in an article for Police Chief magazine:

  • High levels of interpersonal communication skills
  • Calming effects in stressful and dangerous environments allowing them to defuse aggressive behavior
  • High perceived levels of trustworthiness
  • Less likely to use excessive force

In efforts to support women pursuing careers in law enforcement and criminal justice fields, the Mid-State NTO program hosted three events to highlight these NTO program students. These events, along with some scenario-based exercises, were captured in the photos here. All of the events encompassed the spirit of NTO through the encouragement and support of women in Mid-State’s criminal justice programs.

Women interested in criminal justice are also making a difference in corrections and community advocacy work!

Our Criminal Justice-Corrections & Community Advocacy program students thrive in Mid-State’s supportive (and fun!) environment. 

Discussing the importance of mental health.
Discussing the importance of mental health.
Wood County Jail visit.
Wood County Jail visit.
Nature walk through Schmeeckle Reserve.
Nature walk through Schmeeckle Reserve.
Cozy day for self-care!
Cozy day for self-care!
Workshop with Student Success Counselor Michelle Stromme.
Workshop with Student Success Counselor Michelle Stromme.
Graduation day!
Graduation day!

Doing a little art therapy.
Doing a little art therapy.

NTO Students in Leadership

NTO students are often known to step up and shine when it comes to leadership. In the following photos, Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik acknowledges NTO students Brittany Nelson, Maria Lytle, and Jodie Pierce for their roles as Mid-State Student Representatives.

BRITTANY NELSON
Business Management
Brittany Nelson

JODIE PIERCE
Business Management
Jodie Pierce

MARIA LYTLE
Corrections & Community Advocacy
Maria Lytle

NTO Student Snapshots

TRINA RAFLIK
Welding, Metal Fabrication

I have been a student at Mid-State since 2022, while still in high school. I am now a senior and very excited to attend Mid state full-time. I am going for my Welding and Metal Fabrication degrees, and with the credits I have gained, I am already halfway to achieving my goal. I wish to become a traveling welder and later down the road have my own small welding business making sculptures throughout the country. Mid-State has been a huge part of my life from the day I started. I have met amazing people and teachers who are always there for me and help me become a better welder and person at the same time. I am so happy that I will be attending Mid-State starting next fall and being a part of the Mid-State family.

Trina Raflik

Trina Raflik