The Women of Construction
I Build America – Ohio is dedicated to celebrating the women of construction! Women are a vital part of our industry, and there are female leaders at all levels of construction work. From foreman to company owners and executives, construction wouldn’t be the industry it is without its female employees. Join us and our partners in celebrating the success of women within your own company and across the nation during National Women in Construction Week 2021.
Meet: Whitney Walker
Name: Whitney Walker
Company: Jurgensen Companies
Title/Position: Executive Assistant & Marketing Coordinator
Years Working in Construction: 5 years
How Whitney Started in the Construction Industry: “I was working for a large corporate organization and just did not really feel like that environment was a great “fit” for me. I passed the Jurgensen home office each day to and from lunch and noticed they were constructing a new facility. All of the activity in and around the office excited me. Although I did not know much about the organization at the time, I got a sense that there was a lot of action happening there. I guess that’s what I was seeking – action, activity, growth and man did I get that. I joined the Jurgensen team in 2015 and feel like I haven’t paused learning or growing since.”
What Whitney Loves Most About Her Job: “I believe that I will never stop learning here and that’s honestly the best part of my job. Someone once told me that when you stop learning in a job then that is a signal that is time for you to move on. We have 4 business areas – aggregates, asphalt, construction, and terminal. Jurgensen offers me so much variety in the work that I get to do. I can be standing in a mine in work boots videoing one day and the next, be dressed up in the office working with a team of leaders from Ohio’s largest construction organizations to help advance a high school career tech degree. The work that I do, though often demanding and fast-paced, is incredibly rewarding and I definitely know I am never going to get bored!”
What Does It Mean to Whitney to Be a Woman in the Construction Industry? “I often hear that women are too emotional and that is why they are not good in high pressure positions and that really bugs me. To me, being a woman in a male-dominated industry gives me an opportunity to show that I am capable of using my female characteristics for the positive in my organization.”
What Career Advice Does Whitney Offer to Women Considering a Career in Construction?
Investigate the opportunities of starting a career directly out of high school. I, myself went to college. I struggled to understand why I was even there most of the time and did way more partying than learning. I believe that the money spent on college would have been much better invested somewhere else. But at that time in 1998, college was really the only option I was ever given other than the military.
Learn More About Careers in Construction
Begin your career in construction today! Explore educational tools and resources right here on I Build America Ohio’s website. Questions about how to start a career in construction? Email us at info@ibuildamericaohio.com to get started in the right direction.
Follow along all week as we continue to share the message about the important role of women in construction, today and all year long!
