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When you think of construction what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? If you’re like many you may be picturing groups of hard-working men laboring for extensive hours outdoors. This isn’t what comes to mind when you ask Heather Smith about construction. Smith, Director of Marketing at Michigan Construction and Director of Engineering at the Michigan Concrete Association, recently shared her experience as a woman working in the construction industry.

Construction has long been considered a men-only industry, but that stereotype is being eroded by a small but growing group of women. These are smart, dedicated and passionate women who have found construction to be the perfect career for them. They are making inroads for other women to follow, and they’re doing it because they are female, not in spite of it. If you have ever wondered what a career in construction would be like, take it from two women with the Michigan Department of Transportation — it’s a great life!

In northern Michigan, Team Elmer’s is practically a household name as one of the largest, oldest and most respected construction firms in the area. Providing excavation, concrete, Esphalt™, aggregate, heavy hauling, and crane and rigging services, Team Elmer’s makes a point of hiring great people who love their jobs.

That includes some pretty exceptional women who are driving hard (literally) to prove women have what it takes to make a career behind the wheel of a multi-ton construction vehicle.

Construction has been long known as a male-dominated profession, but women are slowly marking their mark on the industry. Michigan Construction received this great infographic from BigRentz highlighting the state of Women in Construction and how women are breaking the mold of people who build.

Calling all women who dream big, who envision themselves being part of something really important, and who know the meaning of hard work … the construction industry wants YOU!

It's Women in Construction Week, time to honor pioneering women and their  companies. One of those is our partner in the construction workforce movement, Walbridge, building Michigan and the world since 1916. To celebrate this week, Walbridge has featured the stories of how four different women found their way to a great career in construction. 

Just over a half century ago, American women saw their husbands, sons and fathers off to World War II and then stepped into their overalls and went to work, taking up the slack for their men in factories, automotive plants and shipyards. And thanks in large part to their willingness and talent, we won that war. But when the men came home, the women almost instantly became irrelevant on their jobs, and were expected to return to their homes, get married and raise families. And they did just that.

Deciding on a career path can take a lot of work and research to make sure what you train for is something you will love doing for years to come. Wrapped up in that package are other “must-haves,” things like a sense of accomplishment, pride in our work, and opportunities to inspire and help others achieve their dreams too.

Erin Lakenen works full time at B&B Electric Inc. in Iron Mountain, Michigan. At just 22, the third-year apprentice electrician already owns her own home, and is an example of the benefits available to young women who pursue career opportunities in the skilled trades.