What are some misconceptions about being a woman in the construction industry?

With March being Women’s History Month and the industry celebrating Women in Construction Week from March 7-13, this question is well-timed! A common misconception is that a construction career is limited to working as a tradesperson on a job site. The reality is there are a variety of careers in the industry, ranging from project managers to site supervisors to administrative and operations roles in an office setting.

Not only are the careers in the industry varied, but the jobs themselves are too, since you’re always working on different projects. This once, very male-dominated industry has been changing with more women than ever building their careers in construction.

Organizations like the National Association of Women in Construction do great work providing a network of support, and our association also focuses on helping advance the industry and workforce in every way we can. I’m happy to chat with anyone considering a career in construction! Visit www.buildersassociation.com for more information.

Meet the Expert

Paige Smith is the Springfield Plan Room Manager for The Builders' Association, which is a nonprofit commercial construction trade association serving hundreds of member companies that employ over 25,000 people in mid-America. Founded in 1887, The Builders’ Association has advanced the construction industry by delivering safety, craft and management training; employment, labor and government relations; and construction plans and technology tools.

Four service and training centers operate in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield to serve both union and nonunion member companies and to aid collaboration by connecting passionate people and businesses, with a vision of improving lives through construction.

This is accomplished in several ways, including:

• 3,000+ safety trainees annually. 

• Community outreach. 

• 1,500+ apprentices in cosponsored programs. 

• Delivery of business education and professional development. 

• Negotiation of 27 collective bargaining agreements. 

• Coadministration and trustee-appointment authority for 28 fringe funds with over $3 billion in assets. 

• Government relations services at the local and state level, as well as federally through AGC Kansas City, a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the association’s sister organization.