The Role of Inside and Same‐Sex Influencers in the Choice of Nontraditional Occupations*

The role model approach to occupational choice predicts concern with sex appropriateness and reliance on same‐sex influencers when individuals choose nontraditional occupations, while the opportunity structure approach predicts men and women respond equally to opportunity. Using data from male and female engineering and nursing students, this study evaluates both perspectives. Findings suggest the opportunity structure approach is more predictive of nontraditional choices, since male nurses and female engineers rely more on opposite sex influencers, many of whom are inside their chosen occupation. Implications for theory and social policy also are discussed.