I am excited to officially kick off Women in Construction Week at PC Construction. As a woman who has been in this industry for more than 20 years, this is the space in which I’ve lived and matured as an adult.
My story began much like many others in the industry – I was exposed to something that just clicked. For me, I grew up watching This Old House. I was fascinated by the transformation that occurs during the construction process and I loved all the different phases: the tearing down, digging up, the framework, the systems, the problem-solving along the way, and finally dressing up the final space. It’s a dynamic process, and I was immediately interested in being a part of every step.
Not only is the construction process dynamic, but so is life and the world. During my tenure at PC, I’ve gotten married, had children, been through a pandemic and went from being a green project engineer to an experienced construction professional. Every step of the way, I had a supportive company and encouraging leaders rooting for me and supporting my goals, both personal and professional.
During that time, I’ve also seen the industry change and grow. As construction professionals, we are looked upon to put work in place but also to share our expertise, to be partners with the owners and designers and help guide their vision. We are more technically advanced and efficient that I ever could have imagined 20 years ago. It’s amazing to think about all the change and growth that I have seen over the years. It makes the future even more exciting to imagine.
This year’s Women in Construction Week theme – ‘Keys to the Future’ – celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry. How can women shape the future of our industry? How can we use our collective strength and knowledge to make a difference? The opportunities are abundant! We need more craftworkers. We need people who can deftly move between the technical requirements of the job while excelling at skills such as navigating difficult conversations. We need people who can organize. We need people who can lead. We need people who can inspire others to work hard and grow. All of these industry needs are areas where women can shine and bring unique perspectives and energy.
The future is bright, and we need a diverse team to accomplish great things!