Mentors help women choose construction jobs

This News by You was written by Joe Kullman of Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering.

Heather Cavitt sees her career choice offering not only an opportunity to a land good job but a role in breaking new ground in her chosen field.

Cavitt, a senior working toward a degree in construction management from Arizona State University's Del E. Webb School of Construction, is looking to enter one of the most traditionally male-dominated industries.

"I don't have a problem with that," she said. She considers it an advantage.

Construction industry leaders realize the value of hiring people "who are strong and willing to take on challenges," she said, and simply by pursuing a career in what is certain to remain a predominantly male domain, females demonstrate those qualities.

Now, Cavitt and other women in the construction school, a part of ASU's Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, can give themselves another advantage: Learning from pioneering women who have risen to leadership positions in the business.

The school recently established its Advancing Women in Construction program, a key part of which is a mentorship project. More than 70 women in the construction industry in the greater Phoenix area have signed on to mentor female students and provide them an inside look at life in the industry.

The program will not only benefit students but help rejuvenate an industry in need of a new wave of young professionals, said Carol Warner, president and chief operating officer for Johnson Carlier, a third-generation, Arizona-based construction contracting company.

"We are concerned about the future of our profession," said Warner, who has worked in construction for close to 25 years. "There is a shortage of professional builders and people in skilled trades. We need more fervent workforce development."

Women are uniquely skilled in communication, organization and team-building - areas that are becoming increasingly critical to the industry, she said.

"People who can combine those skills with technical knowledge are going to be pursued by construction companies throughout the country," Warner said. "My peers in the industry are anxious to support, train and commit to bringing more women into their workforce."

The industry "continues to need qualified people, and one of the more underutilized talents pools is women," said Rozlyn Lipsey, president of Phoenix-based Jokake Construction company.

Companies are supporting the school's new mentorship program as an investment in ensuring themselves quality employees and leaders for the future, Lipsey said.

That commitment is demonstrated by more than 30 construction and construction-related companies that have donated to the school's Advancing Women in Construction scholarship program. The goal is to eventually provide women who enter the school with $1,000 scholarships for each of their first two academic years, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements.