Insights from Women in Construction

Women in Construction (WIC) Week is an annual event dedicated to recognizing and empowering women in the construction industry. This week serves as a platform to highlight the contributions of women in a historically male-dominated field while encouraging more young women to consider careers in construction. With the industry continuously evolving, the need for diverse perspectives and skilled professionals has never been greater. During our recent Women in Construction webinar, industry leaders shared their insights on career growth, essential skills and how companies can create inclusive workplaces. Here’s what they had to say.

Advice for Young Women Considering a Career in Construction

For young women contemplating a career in construction, embracing challenges and trusting their unique perspectives can make all the difference. Whitney Eckert, Chief Operating Officer at Jostin Construction, encourages newcomers to step into the field with confidence.

“Embrace every challenge as an opportunity and trust your unique perspective. Construction is a dynamic field that rewards resilience, continuous learning and bold ideas. Step in with confidence and know that your drive and vision can change the makeup of our industry.”

Essential Skills and Qualities for Women in Construction

To thrive in construction, women must develop a combination of technical and soft skills. Resilience, adaptability and problem-solving stand out as key traits, alongside strong communication and collaboration abilities. Whitney believes:

“Resilience, adaptability and a knack for problem-solving are key. Equally important are strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across diverse teams. These qualities not only drive success in challenging projects but also help redefine industry norms.”

Allison Steiner, J.D., Accounting & Financial Outsourcing Associate Director at Dean Dorton, adds that curiosity, initiative and integrity are critical for success.

“Curiosity—you need to understand everyone’s role on a project. Initiative—ask for the responsibilities you want, pursue the knowledge you need—on your own whether the company provides it or not. Integrity—do your job well all the time, no matter who is watching. Critical Thinking—practice thinking differently about a situation, using skepticism to your advantage to come to a solution. Flexibility—construction projects thrive when every member of the team seeks to collaborate to reach the end goal!”

Attracting and Retaining Women in Construction

Building a diverse workforce starts with fostering an inclusive culture. Companies that invest in professional development, create transparent pathways to leadership and establish supportive networks will naturally attract and retain more women in construction roles. Whitney’s view on attracting and retaining women includes natural attraction.

“Companies can lead by creating truly inclusive cultures that value every voice. This means investing in professional development, ensuring transparent pathways to leadership and building supportive networks. When organizations actively nurture talent and celebrate diverse contributions, they naturally attract and retain exceptional women.”

Steiner emphasizes the importance of having workplace policies and benefits that support women at different stages of their careers.

“A diverse workforce provides an organization with a diversity of experience, knowledge and energy! Construction companies—like any other business—should have a vision for where they want to go in the next several years and who they may need to help them get there. To attract women, they may need to consider whether they have the roles as well as the policies and benefits that support women in the workplace at different points in their lives.”

The Power of Mentorship in Advancing Women in Construction

Mentorship plays a crucial role in career advancement, and it doesn't have to come from just one source. Women benefit from guidance from both male and female mentors, as long as they are open to learning from different perspectives. Steiner states:

“Mentorship has had a profound impact on my career and mentoring can come from a variety of people at different times. Both sexes, all ages, a manager or a peer; all can have great influence and impact if you are open to the wisdom and knowledge they have.”

Looking Ahead: A More Inclusive Industry

Women in Construction Week highlights the progress being made toward a more inclusive and diverse industry. By fostering supportive environments, providing opportunities for growth and encouraging mentorship, companies can pave the way for more women to succeed in construction. The future of the industry depends on harnessing the talents and perspectives of everyone, and these inspiring insights show just how much women bring to the field.

To all the women considering a career in construction—step forward with confidence, embrace challenges, and know that your contributions are shaping the industry for generations to come.