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: Hope H.
Company: Valley Asphalt
Title/Position: Quality Control Technician
Years working in construction: 1 year worker for Valley Asphalt; 20 years experience in
construction.
What was your path to a career in construction?
I have always had an interest in construction work in my youth. Demolition and construction projects always caught my attention, so I decided to pursue a career in that field.
What do you like most about working in construction?
I always like to see the finish product. Working with Valley Asphalt I enjoyed the times that I got to test the road that I helped complete. I loved taking on the new challenges and understanding the importance of asphalt in road construction.
Have you seen a change in the opportunities for women in construction over the course
of your career?
I have not seen enough change in the construction industry. I will want to see better representation of women in the future especially in the engineering field. I have always felt accepted by my colleagues even when I first started to work in
construction.
If you were to give young women (high schoolers) advice about beginning a career in
construction, what would you say?
I will tell the young women to not be discouraged by the labor work. We can do the same work that the men can do but we must do it differently. The challenge is always rewarding when you see the finished product and the hard labor of your work.
