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?
Construction to me is a unique opportunity to meet and interact with many different types of people and problems. No single day is the same as the last and there are always things changing and new things to learn. The industry as a whole is at a point where it is no longer moving in the direction of how it has always been but seeing major innovation in every aspect from how the work is actually implemented to how projects are managed.

What is your education/training background?
I have a BA in International Area Studies from Drexel University in Philadelphia and a Master's in Construction Management from the University of Texas at Arlington.

How did you find yourself working in the construction industry?
During undergrad I found myself volunteering for an organization in Philly dedicated to renovations of local homes, similar to how Habitat for Humanity builds homes, and loved the hard work of actually working on a project. During my senior year I faced a dilemma of career choice and found I didn't want to work in the industry I was studying, International Relations. So I made the choice to go back to school for my Master's in Construction Management and began the journey into construction.

What do you enjoy most about your career?
Every day is different, there is something new to deal with every day.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?
I've had a lot of projects I have enjoyed working on so far but my most interesting was building the Dover Freestanding Emergency Room for Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Dover, NH.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the construction industry?
My biggest piece of advice for women or really anyone who wants to work in the construction industry is don't be afraid to get dirty. Prove to the rest of the team that you are a hard worker and are willing to work to complete a project but also be willing to learn from anyone, not just your superiors.

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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.