3.6.23

Wichita Water Works Celebrates Women in Construction Week

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women represent just 10% of the construction workforce. Although the statistic is small, the group of women who occupy that space are mighty. Four of them are paving the way in the construction of Wichita’s $500 million state-of-the art Northwest Water Facility. Replacing the 80-year-old treatment plant is the largest capital investment in the City’s history.

March 5-11 is Women in Construction Week. It’s a chance to recognize the achievements of women in the industry while highlighting all the available opportunities in a male-dominated field. In honor of the occasion, four females share their career stories and experiences while safeguarding the future of Wichita’s water.

What or who encouraged you to go into the construction field?
LG: I had a few internships while earning my architectural engineering degree at North Carolina A&T University. One was researching paint technology for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to find a paint that slows the corrosion process in dams. I was also an architectural design intern for Denny’s. Being onsite for renders and construction of the restaurants and watching the work come to fruition made me want to go into this field.

SF: I used to be a medical assistant in a doctor’s office. My uncle was a carpenter and told me how amazing the construction field and the union was. I figured I would try it out and see how it worked. And it did! I love my job and I’ve always been fascinated with electricity.

DU: My dad. He owned a union painting company.  I got into the job working with costs and finances within the company.

AG: I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity during a couple of summers in high school and loved seeing the visual impact our work was making in the community. I have also always been curious about the “why” and the “how” related to the engineering and construction of the infrastructure around us.

What is the biggest challenge of being a woman in construction?

LG: The lack of women and overall diversity in the industry. Sometimes there’s a disconnect when collaborating with men so it’s good to have a different point of view. Women don’t get enough credit because there’s not as many of us. It’s good to promote women in construction because you don’t see many on the job site.

SF: Working in a man’s field. There are a lot who don’t believe I belong in construction. One man once told me I should go back to the kitchen and make babies. I had to prove myself again and again. I usually stick with a crew for a long time, and they become family so those challenges typically phase out once I get to know them.

DU: Earning respect from the male peers.

AG: Helping people realize that girls and women aren’t just pretty, pink dresses and high heels. We’re much more than that and deserve to be in this field as much as any man. But if we want to wear pink dresses and high heels (while we’re not in the field obviously) AND have a successful construction career, we can do that, too! Society too often limits girls and women to certain boxes. Changing people’s biases formed by these boxes is the biggest challenge I have had to face.

What is an advantage of being a woman in construction?

LG: Being able to relate to other women on the job site. I believe there are at least 10 of us on the Northwest Water Facility project. We offer a different perspective, which helps earn respect. During my three years in construction, there have been times I’ve been brushed off assuming I don’t know much. But when I start to ask questions and speak up for myself, people see I’m not just a number and can offer solutions. That helps with cultivating a better company culture overall.

SF: Everyone is willing to help. Almost too much. I had a helper so eager to help me he wouldn’t let me move a 6-foot ladder. But at least chivalry is not dead.

DU: Women have a different logical approach to the business and can keep things calm and in control.

AG: Being able to bring a different perspective to the table and hopefully inspiring other girls and women to pursue a construction career!

What is one of your most memorable experiences on the job?

LG: At the end of my first year in my career, we were closing out a job site. I had a conversation with my project manager who said I was responsible for closing out the rest of the job, which meant a lot. I felt like he trusted me with the responsibility of working alongside the owner to get the work done. Being a new person in construction, you don’t see that a lot on the job.

SF: I used to work at the Atlanta airport on the night shift. One time I got to go to the roof and see all the beautiful lights. The people below looked so tiny. I thought no one gets to see and experience this view. I get to go to the coolest places because of my job.

DU: Working on the New Orleans floodgates for two years. What a fantastic project and great location.

AG: The first time I put on a harness and climbed up a wall of rebar to do an inspection.

What is the most interesting thing you’re working on during the construction of the Northwest Water Facility?

LG: Working on site and being able to get the day-to-day experience of what is going on. I’ve been helping with quality a lot recently and working with subcontractors to do inspections. For the residual pump stations, we’re making sure rebar and concrete poured is within specification.  

SF: I’m excited for the high surface pump station. I started on the underground portion and will get to see it go all the way up, do the controls and finish it out.

DU: Watching the project being built from the ground up. It’s fascinating how quickly dirt turns into buildings.

AG: Working with our project team to break down the schedule sequence of each project area and seeing those plans being executed in the field.

What is the best part of your job?

LG: The learning experience. Overall, you have a lot of advanced people on the job site. I’m able to gain knowledge from them while getting their perspective on how to advance my career. Having everyone on the job site allows you to put the pieces together to really understand what creates this project.

SF: I love doing controls but would say the best part is the people I meet. Some are on site for a couple of months, and some are in the one-to-two-year range.

DU: Working with different people on each project. Also working with the same people who I have a great relationship with from previous projects.

AG: Learning something new every day.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?

LG: Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask questions. Some people are afraid to ask dumb questions but asking them creates more communication.

SF: There is too much to know as an electrician, so don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know something.

DU: Be on time, get your work done and don’t let others get to you. Also, make sure you have good health insurance.

AG: Don’t take feedback too personally.

What is your message to other women considering a career in construction?

LG: Don’t get discouraged. The work you do is valuable to the job.

SF: It’s not easy but it’s totally worth it. If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.

DU: Listen and learn from others on site who have the experience. Don’t let others bully you or make you think you aren’t as knowledgeable as they are. Stand up for what you believe in and believe in yourself.

AG: A career in construction is one of the best ways to make a positive impact on society and the best way to visually see that positive impact.

How do you think construction can attract more women in the industry?

LG: When it comes to promoting your business, one of the big things that attracted me to my job was diversity. Not just gender, but race as well. Promoting both will allow companies to attract women by showing you’re creating a diverse environment – even if there are only one or two of us on the jobs site.

SF: I don’t know. I haven’t met too many women in construction or women wanting to pursue construction. There have been some other women on the job, and we’ve swapped horror stories about how tough it can be.

DU: I think the industry is gearing towards this now. There are much more women getting into construction and the barriers are done as to what women can and can’t do on site to help. Stay focused and don’t let others tell you that you can’t do anything you put your mind to.

AG: Mentoring and bringing up qualified women into leadership roles. Teaching girls about opportunities in STEM fields, like construction, early in life.

What is your favorite piece of construction equipment?

LG: An excavator. The overall GPS on excavators is amazing. I was on a barge, and you couldn’t see anything but water. It was neat to see the GPS track elevation and show how much it takes to safely dig and pull out clay.

SF: A boom lift. I like it because it takes me high up.

DU: Large cranes. It’s amazing how they can pick up large pieces of equipment and keep the movement at a minimum.

AG: Skid steer.

If you would like to learn more about job opportunities with Wichita Water Works, visit https://wichitawaterworks.com/contact/.