Whether it's spoken or not, the question is there: What's it like for women who work on construction sites So, Haskell.com asked the question.
Three current female Construction Interns, not at all far removed from their first jobsite experiences, and a former intern who is now an
They also offered advice - and encouragement - for other women who are about to don their personal protective equipment (PPE) for the first time.
'Know what you're buying, and know what you're selling'
What were your first impressions when you were assigned to a job site
'I was fortunate enough to work on my project from the very beginning at the 30% design phase. This helped give me confidence in understanding the project when getting put on site. A phrase I've been told and helped me is, 'Know what you're buying, and know what you're selling.' I was on-site from Day 1 with my Superintendent, who understood my experience level, which was that it was my first full-time jobsite, nine months out of college. He took the time to explain items I wasn't picking up on. I think being upfront with your team and understanding each other's strengths and areas of improvement can help your team work efficiently and effectively.'
How have you adjusted over time
'Since first being on site, I have grown in the industry tremendously. I can lead and hold conversations with trade partners and our client on topics I didn't know a year ago or would have expected someone else to do a year ago. During my year on site, I have taken every opportunity to ask questions, raise my hand and volunteer myself to better understand the field side of construction. When you're young and lacking experience, information on paper doesn't translate as quickly sometimes. I would take every advantage to go out on the site, review the work being completed, help out with any field tasks and ask any and all questions you may have.'
What advice would you offer a woman working on a job site for the first time
My best advice from my experience would be to find a mentor, apply yourself in every aspect and ask questions!
'Just jump in!'
What were your first impressions when you were assigned to a job site
'I have been up to the site in
'I think I just felt like I was a part of the team. I don't think I ever felt like I was any different as a woman on the site. I was just treated as part of the team, which was really a beautiful thing. I wasn't ever treated differently. In fact, I was kind of pulled into the project and told, 'This is what we need you to do,' and went to work. It's been a great team to be a part of, for sure.'
How have you adjusted over time, and how have you progressed in your
'Most of what I'm doing is working with an APM from
What advice would you offer a woman working on a job site for the first time
'Probably just jump in. Don't be scared. Don't be intimidated. Just jump in! I think the more that you do that and act as a team member, the more you get treated like a team member. People are hungry for people to want to be a part of that team and just get moving and get working.'
Building something that will benefit a lot of people'
What were your first impressions when you were assigned to a job site
'My first job site was at a big project, bigger than this one. I worked for a concrete subcontractor. It can be a little intimidating at first, just because there were so many different people doing so many different things. It was kind of hectic. There's constant beeping and huge dump trucks - it's a little scary walking around on-site by yourself for the first time.
'It's just a little intimidating getting your grounding. You stick out when you're a blonde girl walking around on a huge job site. With my company, I was the only girl on-site. There were, maybe, five of us total. I'm more confident now. I don't feel like a little baby deer walking for the first time anymore.'
How have you adjusted over time, and how have you progressed in your
'I prefer to do general contracting, and I was always interested in water. It actually started in high school when I read a book about the water crisis in America, and it grew from there. Then I studied civil engineering, and I liked hydraulics and learning about the different flow systems. And then add on that I like the idea that I'm building something that will benefit a lot of people. '
What advice would you offer a woman working on a job site for the first time
'Ask questions. I know everyone says that, but really, ask questions. Don't be afraid to look dumb. Regardless of whether you're a boy or girl, you're not going to know things. That comes with being fresh and new, and that's fine.
Breathe the fresh construction air'
What were your first impressions when you were assigned to a job site
'This is my first job site, so when I moved to site last summer, I was really excited. The project was in the early phases of construction, and for the first few weeks, I was actually the only woman on site. I know that could seem pretty intimidating for a lot of women, but for me, I was treated really well. I feel lucky because everyone treated me perfectly and was very polite, especially the
'I remember they didn't have any bathroom setup - they just had porta-johns. The project manager told me, 'If you want to go into town, to use the bathroom, you can. You don't have to go on-site.' But I wanted to be like everyone else was, and I was like, 'No, it's fine.' And, of course, it was fine.
'I have a very kind of optimistic, positive and hardworking attitude that I bring to the table. So, I think that really helps people to understand that I'm just like them, and they don't need to give me special treatment.'
It doesn't sound like you needed to adjust at all, but what have you learned as you've spent more time on-site
'It is so cool to see things go from planned to theoretical - the work you do on the computer - to actually seeing it come to life. Being able to actually go out in the field and breathe the fresh construction air and see a project come to life-it's really why I chose to be in construction. And that's really my favorite part about a project, seeing it through.'
What advice would you give somebody brand new to this and going to their first job site
'I think it can be really intimidating to go to a job site and think, 'Wow, I'm one of three out of 500 people who are women.' You can be hyper-aware of it and sometimes that's necessary, you know, for safety, and just to keep yourself in line. But then some people will tell you, 'Oh, you shouldn't really pay attention to it; just try to keep it in the back of your mind.' I agree with that. I think that you should be treating everyone as you want to be treated. As long as you're putting your best foot forward and working hard, there should not be any issues with the difference in gender.
'I think construction has a reputation of being pretty rough and tough. I think educating people as to what a career construction looks like, not only for women but just in general, would really help bring people to the table.'
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