Laid Off at Last Non-Nursing Job Before Became Nurse - Use Manager as Reference?

[live&love&heal]

I was laid off from my previous career in IT before I switched to nursing.

I am in the process of applying for jobs and coming to the point during applications online where they ask for references. I have only come across one job listing which requests for a references from previous employers.

I am not sure whether to list my previous manager at my IT job where I was laid off. I felt as though I was in an "all boys club" as IT is a male dominated field. My manager, of course was male, and I was never given the opportunites to work on the projects I wanted to work on and was always passed up for promotions and raises. Don't get me wrong, I was an excellent performer. I was just not one of the boys.

So my question is,"Should I use him as a reference?" If not, can I use my instructors from nursing instead?

Thanks in advance!

[helikias]

I never use any of my previous supervisors when I apply for jobs. I just don't trust people in the workplace (I learned the hard way).

I would use coworkers, profs, even people you've worked with in volunteer things, etc.

I don't think they can really ask your ref's a lot anyway, due to various laws.