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 2023.
Name: Angela
Company: Ohio CAT
Title/Position: Service Coordinator
Years in Construction: I have worked in the construction industry for about 8 years now with 3½ of them being with Ohio CAT.
What was your path to a career in construction?
Before working for Ohio CAT, I worked for a local Kohler dealership, specializing in generator sales and service. At that company, I started as a receptionist and ended up working my way up the ladder into billing/purchasing, and ultimately landing myself as the warranty processor for all 6 of their locations within the state of Ohio. Here at Ohio CAT, I have been in the role of Field Service Coordinator (Heavy Equipment) for 3½ years. The time has flown by and I am so thankful that I was able to end up working for such an amazing company.
What do you like most about working in construction?
I love that there is ALWAYS so much to learn. Things are constantly changing and it leaves no room to be bored. It seems as if there is something new every single day that I am trying to obtain or add to my knowledge to potentially grow within the industry. With that being said, I have also been able to network with so many people in so many different paths/roles, and every single person has been so helpful in teaching me anything that I was interested in knowing.
What would you love to see for the future of women in construction?
I hope, and would love to see in the future, more women in management roles within our industry. Women are able to make wise and bold decisions allowing team environments to seem less authoritative and more cooperative. Making your team feel more like a “family” ultimately boosts morale the desires to want to be cooperative. When your team works well together, there is nothing but profitability and success!
If you were to give young women (high schoolers) advice about beginning a career in construction, what would you say?
The most important advice I would give working in a male-dominated industry is to develop confidence in yourself. Learn as much as you can by asking questions, and building trust with customers and your co-workers. This will allow opportunities to be presented to you that you may have never entertained previously. Let those opportunities in! Be yourself and empower others, especially other women!
