March 3-9, 2024 marks Women in Construction Week, a time to celebrate women and their accomplishments. Mary Haffner, Project Manager, has been working with Shannon Construction for over 20 years. She has seen many improvements within construction, most notably safety advances, waste reduction, and improved software. Tammy Chiesa, Project Manager, has been with Shannon Construction for 8 years and has seen numerous changes in our industry. With the use of new software, communication between the field and office staff has become instantaneous, and BIM and 3D printing technologies are now more accessible.
Both Mary and Tammy have taken note that over the years women have gained more support and stereotypes are fading in the construction industry. Women are being hired in the field as engineers, project managers, and tradeswomen.
Tammy’s Thoughts on Women in Construction
Advice to women wanting to join the construction industry:
- Women are exceptionally talented and many are up for a challenge, take the challenge!
- The construction industry includes a wide range of roles from management to surveying, civil engineering to bricklaying.
- Attitudes are changing and women are gaining respect.
- The construction industry is full of opportunity. One may limit construction to field work but that's not the case. Construction companies require estimators, design teams, accountants, project engineers, marketing and sales, human resources, safety, project administrators, etc.
What changes to construction have you seen during your tenure? — This does not have to pertain to women, it can be industry-wide.
- Technology advancement; instant communication
- Prefabrication and modular construction of buildings.
- Improved safety equipment
- Increasing material cost, decreasing labor force
- BIM and 3D printing
Has there been more support for women in construction?
- The stereotype is certainly fading, and support is on the rise.
Would you like to see more support?
- Not necessarily support but encouragement.
Mary’s Thoughts on Women in Construction
Advice to women wanting to join the construction industry:
- Set your goals, be open-minded, ask questions and there will be support available for women to be successful in construction.
What changes to construction have you seen during your tenure? — This does not have to pertain to women, it can be industry-wide.
- Safety has improved, we reduce waste and we are working faster with new technology. Field Superintendents are all using laptops with software packages to review drawings, submittals, RFI. Daily photos and daily logs are complete.
Has there been more support for women in construction?
- Yes, construction companies are hiring more women in the field specializing in a trade skill. Women are being hired as engineers, project managers and project engineers. Women are supported by the office team and the field team.
Would you like to see more support?
- Yes, there is always a need for additional support for any individual interested in construction.
Any advice for women wanting to join the industry?
- Set your goals, be open minded, ask questions and there will support available for women to be successful in construction.