Recognizing Women’s Contributions in Construction

Women in Construction at a Glance:

• Women make up nearly 11% of the total construction workforce, but that rate is on the rise
• Having women represented at all levels of construction helps welcome in more women
• Women working in construction experience a high level of satisfaction in their work

Increasing Impact

With 1.3 million female tradespeople and professionals working in construction in the U.S., women make up nearly 11% of the industry’s overall workforce. Though the ranks of women are growing, the building and construction industry still has challenges with representation, despite the fact that building and construction has one of the smallest gender pay gaps of any industry in the country. To help spotlight opportunities and advances, the National Association of Women in Construction began Women in Construction Week. From March 2-8, the week celebrates and promotes the role of women in this thriving field.

Along with representation in the industry, coverage of women in construction is also on the rise. In a recent article on MSN, women in construction talk about changes in the industry, along with some of the challenges they still face. “It’s definitely been getting more popular with women to be involved in the field,” says Hayley Skidmore, a project engineer in the Buffalo area. “But it’s one of those things where you have to try to get over the imposter syndrome, especially when you’re in rooms and meetings with all men, just reminding yourself to be confident and that you deserve to be in the room as much as anyone else.”

Leading with Women

At Adrenaline, women can be found in prominent roles throughout design and construction services, as the company builds branded environments for institutions across the country. “I think it is vital to have other women in the industry that you can look to as an example and seek advice from,” says Cierra Cross, a Construction Administrator in construction services. “We are so lucky here at Adrenaline to have women at all levels of our department. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by an extremely capable and knowledgeable team.” Cierra believes confidence comes from staying grounded in the strengths and abilities she brings to the table.

For women working in what is often thought of as a male-dominated field, trust and communication go hand-in-hand. “It can be hard, but short lived after you establish respect and trust, which is a two-way street,” says Haley Fardelmann, Project Manager in construction services. “Sometimes it takes a little extra communication, but we all have our part to play in breaking the glass ceiling for the next generation.” While the environment can sometimes feel intimidating for women early in their careers, rising representation of women at every level will help create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

This year’s Women in Construction Week theme “Together We Rise” focuses on the strength and knowledge women bring to their work. Morgan Leighton, Senior Project Manager in construction services says she expects even more women to make their mark. “We recently completed a renovation project for our client Virginia Credit Union that was handled by an entirely female Adrenaline team from design right through construction.” As she reflects on women in design and construction at Adrenaline, Morgan says, “We have a great balance within the construction services, and as we grow, I think we’ll see even more and more women-led projects.”

Shaping the Future

Women working in construction experience a high level of satisfaction. “Walking a finished site with clients is my favorite,” according to Haley. “Being able to tangibly see the hard work that goes into our job is the best part.” She also appreciates the lasting impact of her work. “After every project I have a renewed appreciation for our designed spaces, even years later. It’s pretty cool that we leave such a lasting footprint in neighborhoods and communities across the country.” Seeing projects through to completion creates a sense of fulfillment. Morgan says, “It’s satisfying to manage the work from the first design drafts all the way until it becomes reality.”

As women take on larger roles and lead higher-profile projects, their success will continue to grow exponentially. “Owning your space in construction or any male-dominated field is essential,” says Jennifer Morris, Senior Director in construction services at Adrenaline. “It’s about trusting your abilities and letting your work speak for itself.” Haley says, “Do not be afraid to have a confident and communicative voice. It took me a while to find mine, but once I was able to project my vision with assured clarity, people listened.” Jennifer echoes that sentiment, saying “Never hesitate to confidently voice your ideas, ask questions, and take the lead!”

To learn more about leading change in financial services, or to speak with one of Adrenaline’s experts, contact us today.

Adrenaline is an end-to-end brand experience company serving the financial industry. We move brands and businesses ahead by delivering on every aspect of their experience across digital and physical channels, from strategy through implementation. Our multi-disciplinary team works with leadership to advise on purpose, position, culture, and retail growth strategies. We create brands people love and engage audiences from employees to customers with story-led design and insights-driven marketing; and we design and build transformative brand experiences across branch networks, leading the construction and implementation of physical spaces that drive business advantage and make the brand experience real.