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: September Hall
Company: Shook Construction
Title/Position: Safety Manager
Years Working in Construction: 20+ years
What was your path to a career in construction?
I started in the workforce in construction directly out of high school. I held several different job titles including installing insulation, working as a roofer and a laborer. I later took on the role of the Safety Administrator which is where I found my passion for Safety in construction. I was given a greater appreciation for the importance of safety and wanted to help create safe workspaces so that everyone goes home well at the end of the day. This appreciation led me to obtain my degree in Occupational Safety and Health.
What do you like most about working in construction?
I enjoy being a part of the process. I am included to help protect the workers on site from the beginning of the project to the very end. I like being a resource to the teams to keep everyone safe. I also enjoy seeing the progression of the projects come together to being turned over and an integral part of the community.
What changes have you seen for women in construction over the course of your career?
I have! It used to be very rare to see a woman on any construction site. Although it is still a male dominant field, we have many women working in the trades, as well as women on the management teams as Superintendents, Project Engineers, and Project Managers. There are quite a few other career opportunities that support the project teams behind the scenes that many may not think about.
What advice would you give to a young woman considering a career in construction?
Explore as many opportunities in construction as possible because there are so many. If you have a specific interest, talk to someone currently working in that role and ask questions; they would be happy to share the amount of education and/or experience needed to be successful in that field.