This week we celebrate Women in Construction Week (WIC) and the many women who work in and make important contributions to our industry every day! We are pleased to share the stories from many of the women who work and live in NH and VT. The project was created in partnership with I Build NH and NAWIC Granite State Chapter.  

Why construction?
I love construction and the different learning opportunities it has presented me. Being able to go out into the field and see how different structures are built has made me a better engineer. It helps to be able to talk to the different Trades and understand the little things I can do in the design process that makes all the difference for them during the construction process. Construction is a team industry and I appreciate the role I get to play in it.

What is your education/training background?
I graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from Quinnipiac University in 2017. Prior to graduating, I had interned for several different organizations including the H.L. Turner Group (TTG) who hired me full-time upon completing my degree. While working for TTG as a Project Engineer in their Structural Group, I took classes part-time at Southern New Hampshire University. I completed my Master's in Business Administration in Spring 2020. With my experience at TTG, I look forward to sitting for my Principals and Practice of Engineering Exam this year.

How did you find yourself working in the construction industry?
I really gravitate towards hands-on and visual solutions to problems. This lends itself very well to the construction industry. I like to see my calculations and designs come together into a final product in the field. It feels substantial and permanent (mostly) in an ever-changing world.

What do you enjoy most about your career?
The people in this industry are what make my career so enjoyable. I have met so many amazing people in the construction industry that are resourceful, kind, knowledgeable, supportive, creative, and have a great sense of humor. You just do not get all of that in most industries.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?
I have worked on many interesting projects that have led me to some very cool places which I always consider the most interesting. I have worked on top of Mount Washington, I have traveled from Canada to Arizona and many places in between, I have been underground in penstocks ranging from 4 to 14 feet in diameter, and 150 feet in the air in a man lift on the coast of Boston. Every project poses its own interesting aspects but my favorites are the ones that bring me to cool locations.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the construction industry?
There are a lot of different opportunities and insights you bring to the table. Do not be afraid to share those and add the value you have gained through your experiences. At the same time, be open to learning even if it may not be relevant to what you are trying to do in the moment. I have been amazed at the amount of knowledge that people are willing to share with you if you are just willing to ask and how that information has helped me down the road.

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ABC NH/VT
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

I Build New Hampshire
I Build NH represents the construction sector of the state through the Sector Partnerships Initiative (SPI). I Build NH represents companies involved in heavy construction like municipal water treatment systems and road building, electric and telecommunication infrastructure, civil engineering, heating/ventilation/air conditioning businesses and more.

National Association of Women in Construction
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has over 115 chapters throughout the United States, including the NAWIC Granite State Chapter. NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. NAWIC advocates for the value and impact of women builders, professionals and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry.