ELIZABETH MESSANA – PROJECT MANAGER
Q: How did you decide to work in the construction industry? What drew you to it?
A: My parents. My Dad worked for a General Contractor my entire life and he is the only reason I even knew about this occupation. And my Mom explicitly told my sister and I to work in a male-dominated field. As a public school teacher, my Mom understood how critical it was to make a livable wage and that it was far more likely in a male-dominated field. There was one key turning moment during a middle school take-your-daughter-to-work day where we were at the tech company headquarters, which my dad had recently completed, where I realized just how interesting this industry is and how complex building can really be.
Q: What do you like best about being in the construction industry?
A: I enjoy all of the different people we get to work with on a daily basis. In addition to our Swinerton project team, the craft labor and engineers are especially interesting, and I feel like I’m always learning something new.
Q: Since the construction industry is predominately men, how does it feel working with more women on a project? Any difference?
A: There was some expectation (from the men) on earlier projects in my career that multiple women together on a team would be catty toward each other or stir up drama, but reality is quite the opposite. There’s a bit of a comradery on jobs with more women since we tend to have some of the same experiences. Also, it’s easier to avoid routine, unintentional sexism on a project with more women. I have been asked so many times in my career to get the coffee or be the note taker even though there were many other similarly ranked male team members. When you have a predominantly female team like we do at the Presidio, you don’t have to wonder if you’re doing the menial task because of your gender or it’s simply your turn. It’s refreshing to not wonder if your gender played into the equation.
Q: What advice would you give to other women considering the industry?
A: There is a degree of personal sacrifice that I don’t think is experienced quite as acutely in other businesses, including long hours and weekends. If you let it, construction work can be all-consuming and you will find yourself burned out. Plus this type of work coupled with the societal expectations placed on moms is a challenge I never could have imagined before having children. That said, the construction industry provides incredible career opportunities, I’m getting to be a role model for my kids, and at the end of the day, you can actually point to something and say, “I built that.”
Q: Any advice you’d like to give to other women in the industry?
A: I see this industry evolving in so many positive ways, and that is in no small part due to the women in construction. We just need to hang in there and support each other. We’ve got this!
ERIKA FREDERICK – ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER
Q: How did you decide to work in the construction industry? What drew you to it?
A: The built environment always intrigued me growing up. My interest in entering the AEC industry further developed while in college. My degree was in engineering, with a focus in Architectural Design. I became attracted to the construction side of things through my work as a design consultant right out of college. My role involved reviewing construction drawings/specifications/submittals/RFI’s, participating in design and construction coordination meetings, and making frequent jobsite visits to inspect various installations. The attraction began there.
Q: What do you like best about being in the construction industry?
A: The fast-paced, hands-on, and collaborative nature of building. The Engineer in me also enjoys the problem-solving aspect of the job.
Q: Since the construction industry is predominately men, how does it feel working with more women on a project? Any difference?
A: I haven’t really noticed a major difference. The supportiveness within my project team is very apparent, and I truly appreciate it. Aside from that, the women on my team are very smart, confident, practical, vigilant, and caring. They do what it takes to get the job done, and get it done well…All necessary qualities to make it in the industry.
Q: What advice would you give to other women considering the industry?
A: Take advantage of opportunities that expose you to the industry – such as courses, career fairs, volunteer opportunities, seminars, and interest groups. Reach out to a professional in the industry (e.g., through LinkedIn) and ask them to meet up for an informal conversation. Ask questions. Doing any one of these things will help you determine if construction might be a good fit for you.
Q: Any advice you’d like to give to other women in the industry?
A: Don’t let the men intimidate you. Be confident in your abilities. Find a mentor.
CAITLIN O’BRIEN – ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER
Q: How did you decide to work in the construction industry? What drew you to it?
A: I went to school with the intention of becoming an architect. While I enjoyed the creative aspect, I soon realized that ultimately I was better suited to a more pragmatic occupation and switched my major to Building Science. We had a career adviser who told us that construction provided many more career opportunities, better pay, and less years in school. This definitely helped my decision.
Q: What do you like best about being in the construction industry?
A: The construction industry is full of interesting people that you get to work with and learn from every day. No day is ever the same.
Q: Since the construction industry is predominately men, how does it feel working with more women on a project? Any difference?
A: Not having to wonder if you are being treated differently. You know that you are being judged solely on your work rather than being dismissed/unfairly judged because of your gender. Subtle sexism sucks. Additionally, I have found it creates a more supportive environment. Construction is typically ‘sink or swim’, but with an all-women team, there is a sense of shared experience that helps us lift up one another.
Q: What advice would you give to other women considering the industry?
A; It is not easy and self-doubt can definitely seep in sometimes. There is a place for women in construction so trust yourself. Don’t assume men in the industry know what they are talking about just because of their gender. They often don’t.
Q: Any advice you’d like to give to other women in the industry?
A: Keep going. There is a lot of opportunities for growth and change in the industry and women need to be part of it.
GLADYS PALOMA DE LA PAZ – ESTIMATOR
Q: How did you decide to work in the construction industry? What drew you to it?
A: When I was in high school, I used to watch Megastructure documentaries and I really liked it. Also, my math teacher was a civil engineer, and he was a great teacher; very approachable and knowledgeable. So, I started asking him questions and that’s how I started being interested in construction.
Q: What do you like best about being in the construction industry?
A: The construction industry has many career paths to choose from. And you can use your experience and skills to other career paths. So, you can create your own path and grow professionally. And of course, it is great to be part of the team who built something!
Q: Since the construction industry is predominately men, how does it feel working with more women on a project? Any difference?
A: It is awesome to see more women in construction and break down stereotypes that construction is only for a specific gender or education levels. Personally, it is a big plus having a team that supports you in your journey.
Q: What advice would you give to other women considering the industry?
A: Try to have a casual ‘interview’ with someone working in the field of interest to you (engineering, management, scheduling, estimating, craft professionals, designing, administrative, etc.) This is very helpful to really understand what to expect in each field. And by the way, it is okay to reach out to people that you don’t know. I also highly recommend internships.
Q: Any advice you’d like to give to other women in the industry?
A: In my opinion, life is a learning process. So, keep asking, questioning and learning, and keep growing. Also, remember to do your best to create a work-life balance. And finally, sharing salary info. is very useful to decrease the gender pay gap.
GABBY DANG – PROJECT ENGINEER
Q: How did you decide to work in the construction industry? What drew you to it?
A: I studied Civil Engineering and started drafting plans as an intern. When I interviewed with Swinerton, the sheer size of the projects I visited during my interview is what drew me in initially. I was drawn to the fast-paced environment, and seeing the plans come to life, in contrast to working on my computer and not being able to see the tangible builds of my work.
Q: What do you like best about being in the construction industry?
A: I like how casual and honest people in the industry are. I like the no BS approach and collaborative/creative problem-solving. I enjoy seeing the tangible contribution of my efforts in my own community, I’ll be able to show my future children. 😊
Q: Since the construction industry is predominately men, how does it feel working with more women on a project? Any difference?
A: This is my first project, but wow, was I surprised – and proud! One day in particular, there was a potential gas leakage. The policewoman appeared, then a female fire fighter. My colleague and I looked at each other and said, isn’t that neat? The Owner, Architect, and Contractor team are predominately women. It’s something you don’t see every day.
Q: What advice would you give to other women considering the industry?
A: It’s not all fun, there are long hours, you’ll make many mistakes, but every day is different and highlights new challenges, which can be exciting! Your efforts are never wasted and a mistake is only worthless if you weren’t able to learn something from that experience.
Q: Any advice you’d like to give to other women in the industry?
A: Thank you for paving the way for the future women. It’s never easy, but always worth it!
