{"id":6550,"date":"2020-10-20T15:00:02","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T15:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinacat.webpagefxstage.com\/construction\/?p=6550"},"modified":"2022-10-26T14:32:47","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T14:32:47","slug":"woman-to-woman-tips-on-building-a-successful-career-in-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carolinacat.webpagefxstage.com\/construction\/woman-to-woman-tips-on-building-a-successful-career-in-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman-to-Woman: Tips on Building a Successful Career in Construction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mary Katherine Harbin, area manager for Tennesse-based Maymead Inc., broke new ground when she helped establish what may be the nation\u2019s first all-female paving crew. As a woman who\u2019s worked her way up the ranks for an asphalt construction services company, Harbin knows a thing or two about what it takes to survive and thrive in a male-dominated industry. We asked her to share her advice with other women thinking about pursuing a career in construction or paving.<\/p>\n

\"Women<\/p>\n

4 Tips for Breaking into the Construction Industry<\/h2>\n

1. Take the Initiative<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Go to a local construction company, bring your resume, fill out an application, introduce yourself and ask questions. Most construction companies in the U.S. are hiring, and trades are so vital in our country right now that the industry is incredibly competitive in pay and benefits.<\/p>\n

2. Understand the Demands<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Our industry can ask a lot of people in terms of hours and seasonal pushes. That can be a deterrent to some women. We may not be able to give you a set start time or end time. The weather may affect whether you need to get a babysitter. It\u2019s important to recognize these challenges going in.<\/p>\n

3. Do Your Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is a great career path for women in open, progressive organizations, but not every company wholeheartedly welcomes women. Knowing where you\u2019re applying and understanding the culture is key. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask how many women are in operational positions. Are they all in the office? How many are in the field? How many are in upper management? The same questions apply for minorities. Is there someone at this company who sees the world through a different set of eyes?<\/p>\n

4. Don\u2019t Let Age or Inexperience Stop You<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t have to be young or a body-builder to do this work. We\u2019ve found women in their 40s and 50s make great employees because of the life experiences they bring to the job. Yes, it\u2019s physically demanding work and you need to be in decent physical shape, but machines aren\u2019t made the way they were 20 or 30 years ago. Today, you can push a button and very easily control the equipment with the technology that\u2019s built into it.<\/p>\n

4 Tips for Succeeding in the Construction Industry<\/h2>\n

1. Be a Sponge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a shortage of people today who are willing to show up, ask questions and learn. Everyone thinks they have to be the smart guy or girl in the room right from the start. But we have so many experienced people in our industry who love what they do and are dying to pass on their knowledge. If you listen, observe and work hard, you can be as successful as you want to be.<\/p>\n

2. Understand the Nuances<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not fair, but women in this industry have to walk a tightrope. There\u2019s a fine line between being \u201ctoo girly\u201d and \u201ctoo brash.\u201d Men can be bold and aggressive, but women who act that way are called not-so-nice names. My advice is to be realistic about the double standard but don\u2019t be negative about it. For me, trying to mimic the way the men deal with one another isn\u2019t the way to be successful. I found a way to be myself, and you will too. Own who you are and be yourself, but understand how to do it in a way that fits in with the larger group. It\u2019s an art.<\/p>\n

3. Grow Into Your Role<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As women, we\u2019re seen as helpers, caregivers and peacemakers. Working outside these expected female traits is something most of us have to learn. Here\u2019s an example: Our women\u2019s crew recently had a utility team in their way on a state road job, and the state workers said, \u201cWe\u2019ll ask them to move if you need them to.\u201d Our forewoman\u2019s response was, \u201cNo, that\u2019s okay \u2014 we\u2019ve got somewhere else we can work.\u201d I guarantee you an all-male crew would have made them move, and she learned that she should have too. But for many of us that\u2019s an unnatural response. You have to learn to do what\u2019s right for your benefit and your company\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n

4. Find a Mentor<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As a woman, you will sometimes see things differently than your male counterparts, and that can be great for your company and for the industry. Still, it\u2019s helpful to have someone to bounce things off of, someone who will be brutally honest with you about your ideas and performance. It doesn\u2019t have to be a woman. When I was a young person in the industry, I had several wonderful mentors who were men.<\/p>\n

Considering a Career in The Paving or Construction Industry<\/h2>\n

Despite the challenges women in construction can face, Harbin believes it\u2019s worth it. \u201cThe success you feel when you accomplish a task you may not have thought you could, the pride you feel when you help build something \u2014 those are incredibly rewarding feelings that many people outside our industry never experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary Katherine Harbin helped establish what\u2019s likely the nation\u2019s first all-female paving crew. Now she\u2019s sharing tips for women looking to succeed in a male-dominated industry.<\/p>\n

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