I've been around construction in some way shape or form my entire life. My father was in it, my stepfather, and I married a man that was in construction. The construction lasted, the marriage didn't, but that's another story. I started out in other fields, sales, credit manager, and even started my own restaurant. When I got divorced and moved, my stepfather wanted me to run the office for his construction company. Since I needed a change, I took him up on the offer.
After getting in the office, there just wasn't enough to keep me busy. His company does Commercial Metal Stud Framing
, drywall and Acoustical Ceilings
for primarily large retail buildings. He tried to teach me how to read blueprints so I could do material takeoff and estimating. I just couldn't understand all the lines on the page. These blueprints have 40 pages with details and notes that send you on a goose chase to find an answer. I had never tried reading blueprints before, and I wasn't familiar with the materials being used. I thought a screw was a screw. I didn't know there were different screws for different applications.I just couldn't get the hang of the prints, so I asked him to send me out into the field. I thought watching a project being built from the ground up would help me understand. So out into the field I went, after a little shopping of course. Comfortable work boots are a must. I found the Timberland Women's Nellie Premium Casual - 7.5B Navy
to hold up well. I bought some tools and a
Little Pink Tool Pouch & Belt
. Ok seriously I started out with a Custom LeatherCraft 1614 23-Pocket/5-Piece Comfortlift Combo System 
just like the guys. But as I learned more and became comfortable on the job site, I did switch from the blue Timberlands to the pink ones and I added some pink to my tool bag and tools. Just because you are on a construction site doesn't mean you can't have some style. Another benefit of having pink tools and a bag, if someone "borrows" your hand tools, you can always tell which ones are yours.With the help of a very patient superintendent, I learned how to layout the walls from the lines on the blueprints. I learned how to frame the walls out of metal studs, hang and finish drywall. I enjoyed the process. And I loved the weight I was losing in the process as well as the muscles I was gaining. The only thing I didn't like about being on a job site was the port-o-lets.
I know I drove the guys crazy sometimes with all the questions I asked. I learned everything I could, I read code books, spec books, osha regulations and I watched how the guys worked. A few of the superintendents, employees and guys from other trades gave me a hard time along the way. A woman's place was not on a construction site.
By the end of each job, I had earned my respect and right to be on a construction site. But when that project would end, a new one would begin. Each new project brought a fresh set of project managers, and trades that I would have to prove my abilities to all over again. That was nine long years ago.
Today, for all intents and purposes, I run every aspect of this company. I have to say working in the field was far easier.
My wife runs a company now and had to prover herself as well. Great perspective you give by examples. Wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the field and proving myself was something that had to be done everyday. I have been in construction for almost twenty years now and I still have to spend some part of my day proving I deserve to be where I am at.
ReplyDeleteI went out in the field and learned several finishing trades. I also learned concrete and electrical work in the field. I moved up to Superintendent, then Project Management. I have a business and a construction management degree and my specialty is project controls such as project management, estimating and scheduling, but again, I am still trying to prove my worth every day to my employers while those around me without the same amount of experience or education are retained and listened to intently.
On a lighter note, I hate the porta-toilets because most of the time I have had to share the use of them with those who could care less if they are stepping in it literally.
Someday I hope to find an employer who looks at my experience and my education and doesn't dismiss my credentials because I am a woman.
For several years I wanted to start my own company but my husband was not looking for a situation where we could loose everything we had due to someone elses error so I could not put our house up to get a bond and grow a business. We had already worked too hard and sacraficed too much to take that risk.