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?
When I was in high school I had the opportunity to take classes in the Career and Technical Education wing (vocational classes). I had so many to choose from including nursing, early childhood education, culinary arts, welding, forestry, etc. 

Me being the more sporty/tomboy type of girl, I decided that I did not want to follow the stereotypical female job paths. I immediately signed up for the 2-year Building Trades course where I learned framing, finish carpentry, roofing, siding and so much more. 

The more I engaged myself in the class, the more I fell in love with the concept of construction. And from there, the rest is history.

What is your education/training background?
I took a 2-year construction course in high school. I then worked as a laborer for one of my town's well known construction companies. This was while I was also getting my degree in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology. While at WIT I completed 3 internships, 2 of which were with Fulcrum. Upon graduation, Fulcrum offered me a full time position.

How did you find yourself working in the construction industry?
I followed my dream and my education path and got the opportunity to work for an amazing company!

What do you enjoy most about your career?
I really enjoy getting to be on the management side and being able to see the projects through their entirety. It's not every career where you can see a project from conception on paper to the final product. I like being able to help be part of the teams that make this happen.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?
I am currently on a project in which there are 3 apartment buildings and it has been interesting having to coordinate the phases of construction, dealing with all of the COVID delays, organizing the manpower and continuing the final aspects of the punch list while having tenants moving into other parts of the building. Constantly crazy, but makes for an interesting time!

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the construction industry?
Don't let others tell you what you want to do in life. Go for what you dream of being, there will plenty of people who support you and your decision!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Keep promoting the trades to the younger generation. Don't just push college on them. Show them that working in the field can be just as great of an opportunity!

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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.