The construction industry found Mary Layton.
Sarah Stuk was convinced by the job market.
For Rachel Wilber and Renée Lounsberry, construction was always a part of their lives.
Their stories are all very different.
How did they find their passion in constructing buildings that change skylines or engineering the next major manufacturing facility?
One major thing stands out: A keen interest in consistent growth and learning.
“What a great career for those that like to solve puzzles and are geared to work in a team environment,” Layton, Project Director, said. “Our industry is one of perseverance, endurance and struggle, with the wonderful payoff of something physical to see at the end of all the hard work to always be proud of.”
Every year, the National Association of Women in Construction celebrates Women in Construction week. This year, it is highlighted from March 4 to March 10 and is an opportunity to celebrate women in the industry.
“The industry is more accommodating to employees with growing families than it was when I started,” said Lounsberry, Chief – Engineering Management. “And of course, many, many more women are considering careers in construction.”
Growing in the Industry
Lounsberry remembers construction site visits from an early age.
“When I was a kid, my dad used to take me to job sites on the weekends when he would go check on them,” she said. “I cannot remember a time when it was not around me. He never treated me different from my older brothers in terms of encouraging me to pursue a career in construction. During high school, he encouraged me to study architecture and that is when my interest in design and building really took off.”
Wilber, an Estimator, grew up in a construction family too, but her interest piqued when she stepped on campus at Michigan State University.
“Even though my dad works in the construction industry, I didn’t become interested in a career in construction until I took a construction class as an elective in college,” she said. “After the first few weeks of that class, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue, and I changed my major to construction management.”
It was also at college that Stuk, a Senior Project Engineer, found her interest in the industry.
“My cousin was an interior design major at Eastern Michigan University. She took a contract law class offered in the construction management department and they convinced her to switch majors,” Stuk said. “When she got a job right out of college, I immediately switched my major to construction management.”
Layton’s journey to her current title of Walbridge Project Director was a little different.
She spent her early years selling high-end furniture in Houston, Texas. During the oil crash in 1986, she made a move to Tampa, Florida. Starting as an Executive Assistant for a construction company in the area, within six months, she was out on site as a superintendent.
“It happened by chance and it was the perfect fit for my personality and work traits,” she said.
Learning and Impact
Everyone in the industry can name off projects that they are proud of with immediate specifics. Layton, Lounsberry, Stuk and Wilber are no different.
When asked about their favorite moments, they all immediately pointed to the pride in their projects – From major industrial projects to renovations and everything in-between.
Another common theme emerged: Working together.
“My biggest takeaways have been to embrace teamwork, because it’s required in every project,” Wilber said. “You also have to be open-minded and learn from every experience.”
Lounsberry believes there’s always an opportunity to learn and you should be open to gaining that knowledge.
“It is one industry where the more knowledge and experience you gain, the more of an asset to your team you become. At the same time, no one can know everything required to bring a project to fruition,” she said. “Building good relationships with your team and colleagues outside of Walbridge is crucial for success.”
Stuk looks back at her growth and remembers one of her first memories.
When she first entered the industry, someone on a jobsite told Stuk she wouldn’t last six months. Now, things look a little different: “I’m here, he’s not.”
For Stuk, working in construction is still the perfect fit.
“I love people, puzzles and Mondays. It was a good career choice.”