This week is Women in Construction Week, and I Build America Ohio is celebrating the many roles that women play in Ohio’s construction workforce. This year’s theme is “Keys to the Future,” and we’re asking women of all positions and experiences what they see as the keys to the future of construction. Read on! #womeninconstruction
Name: Cecelia S.
Company: Ohio CAT
Title/Position: Service Coordinator
Years working in construction: 3
What was your path to a career in construction? When I was young, I had the opportunity to visit my dad at work on several “Take your child to work days”. I also visited him occasionally when he was working on large projects such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction set-up and at the Republican National Convention. Along with the fast pace and hands-on portion of the work, his job and construction in general intrigued me. I like to work with people, and I learn best doing things in a hands-on environment rather than a classroom, that’s why after I tried college, I knew it wasn’t for me. Once I started at my first company, I realized I enjoyed providing a memorable customer service experience. Since working at Ohio CAT, my appreciation for the construction industry has grown even more.
What do you like most about working in construction? I like knowing that I’m helping businesses both grow and improve. We’re helping them build things like roads, hospitals, and businesses that in turn help people and provide them with jobs.
This year’s theme is “Keys to the Future.” What is the key to the future of construction in Ohio? I believe that the key to the future of construction in Ohio is supporting companies that have been here for years, and supporting new ones that are interested in growing their businesses in Ohio.
If you were to give young women (high schoolers) advice about beginning a career in construction, what would you say? I think that a career in construction is a great path for those who learn best in a hands-on environment, and it’s also a great path for those who are searching for an alternative route other than college. It’s a great way to meet new people and learn new skills that you may not get to learn in a college-like environment.
