When William King graduated with his nursing degree in 1990, he wasn’t a stereotypical candidate for the profession, even by his own admission.

“I was an African-American who was male and had gone into the military, where I was a medic,” King said, in between telling his story to students at Suffolk Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education Advisory Council-sponsored sixth annual Non-Traditional Extravaganza.

It was also almost 20 years after King had graduated from high school. King’s message to the students: “I did it (so) you can do this. I’m going to get you there sooner than me.”

King was among about 17 presenters during the event at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront on Thursday. All sophomores and juniors in the city’s public schools were invited.

The idea was to reveal how one’s gender doesn’t need to compromise career choice. “Non-traditional” refers to occupations or fields of work for which individuals from one gender constitute less than 25 percent of the workforce.

“The whole concept is to encourage students to think outside of the box,” said Gail Bess, the district’s career and technical education coordinator.

“I hope they walk away with a sense of appreciation for various career opportunities. There will always be traditional jobs, but there is so much more. We want them to walk away and start thinking.”

Other occupations represented were 4-H youth development extension agent, fire marshal, admissions representative, agriculture and natural resources extension agent, area forester, business manager, chief estimator, chief psychologist, child care director, community relations liaison, director of human resources, diving supervisor, drug abuse program coordinator, EMS training officer, enterprise programs manager, funeral director, government contractor, group leader, HR specialist, investigator, landscape designer, lead counselor, music specialist, owner/principal agent, plant pathology professor, senior tax adviser and warehouse team member.

Advisory council member W. Ross Boone said the event was “another great example of what the CTE education program is about — giving students the opportunity to look at non-traditional careers. The opportunity could be invaluable to them.”

John Cotton, a colleague of Boone’s on the advisory council, said student often select a career based on what their parents do.

But “there are a myriad of opportunities today,” Cotton said.

King retired from Sentara Obici last year. “I do this because I like it,” he said. “It’s fun to talk to the kids.”