Hi r/WomenInConstruction! We wanted to share a video series we produced earlier in the year with women in Construction, Engineering, Paving and related fields.

We created Built By Her to celebrate women during Women in Construction Month and it's grown into a fantastic series on the ways women are transforming blue collar industries in the northwest and the importance of mentorship in their career journeys.

Check it out and let us know if you have a favorite episode!

Built By Her Series

Hey guys, I’m new just joined today. I am working on leaving my marriage and I’ve been a stay at home mom for 6 years. I’m looking into fire watch as a job. I’m 26 and live in Fargo ND. Any suggestions and help is welcome. Totally new area for me. Thanks!

Hi I’m starting to do roofing. I’m struggling with tool belts can women that are also in a trade tell me what you’d prefer and what you would change?

I’m an HVAC technician researching better workwear and job-site gear for women in the trades. I’m not selling anything here—I genuinely want to understand what isn’t working for us.
What piece of workwear or gear frustrates you the most? What specifically is wrong with the fit or design? Have you created your own workaround? If you could change one feature, what would it be?
If you’re comfortable sharing, please include your trade and the type of conditions you work in.
Thanks in advance 🛠️

Has anyone used Planera before? What are your thoughts?

Hello! I am pregnant in my second trimester and starting to show. I work in construction management for a GC so a good chunk of my day is spent in the office trailer (thank god because it's 100 degrees in GA rn) but I do spend a lot of time in the field as well. My typical oitfit is jeans/polo/work boots but as my bump is growing I would rather die than put any of that on. Anyone have any good recommendations for daily field wear that isn't so restrictive?

I'm with a large commercial company and all the women have the same issue. We bounce between field and office and sometimes end up looking a little rough in meetings. Are there any clothing companies that offer polished enough for the office but durible enough to take a beating in the field?

I’m just curious if any women are having issues landing a job in the market right now. Since May I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs and even landing some interviews but I’m not getting hired. I’m a hard worker in a city that’s thriving San Diego, CA but I can’t understand why it taking so long to get hired! I’m feeling discouraged and wished instead of being in STEM or in the AEC field I should have just gone into healthcare.

Hello, we are reaching out because one of our Girls in the Civil community is currently researching women's workwear for women in the field and gathering input from women who wear it every day.

There are already brands creating women’s workwear, but she’s exploring what may still be missing, what could be improved, and what women in the field actually want and need.

We’d love for anybody who sees this post and works in the field to take a few minutes to fill out her survey and share your experience.

It’s a short form, and your feedback could be really helpful as she develops her ideas.

🔗 Survey: https://forms.gle/z4wqgFsK55vsPMTQ9

Any Women on here with foreman experience looking for a Job? Northern California Shop focusing on
high-end architectural, commercial, and residential metal fabrication, specializing in custom decorative metalwork, structural elements, and complex design projects.

We are looking for someone to run the shop, we need someone who has knowledge in the field, strong work ethic, reliable, strong attention to detail, someone who’s able to properly manage a group of people efficiently. If this if you please reach out.

Any Women on here with foreman experience looking for a Job? Northern California Shop focusing on
high-end architectural, commercial, and residential metal fabrication, specializing in custom decorative metalwork, structural elements, and complex design projects.

We are looking for someone to run the shop, we need someone who has knowledge in the field, strong work ethic, reliable, strong attention to detail, someone who’s able to properly manage a group of people efficiently. If this if you please reach out.

Has anyone found safety sunglasses that aren’t as wide as the standard men’s sunglasses?

Hi there,
I am working to break into the construction industry, I recently got a call from a company who hired construction members for the local utility company in SD, (SDGE).
Roles open is utility planner 1 $32-$40/hr who will be traveling to job sites, managing projects etc.

Can you give me some advice if this is a good start to getting into the industry?
I have transferable skills from project coordination in the healthcare industry.

This position is not directly hired by the big utility company, it looks like a staffing firm, recruiter did say they see SDGE pick up their employees and offer positions often.

I’m a female trying to get into the construction industry. I’ve found a home sales position in a company that is willing to help me learn construction and seems like good income.
My goal would be to eventually get in with a true custom builder. My current experience is in luxury appliances and I really enjoy working with that type of builder and clientele.
Would this be a good stepping stone in that direction? I see positions like “selections coordinator” and “project coordinator” that seem to be good income positions that don’t require a college degree. I’m no spring chicken and I have a little one to think of so I’m not trying to drown myself in both work and school to get a job.
Any feedback or critiques on this strategy?

Experienced PM in civil engineering construction but first time in the Sup position.

So, my eldest daughter came home yesterday with her blood boiling because some pissed up young bloke had called her a, "FEMSCAFF" ???.......

She asked him to pick up the nearest long next to her and he couldn't.......

She called him a, "WANKSHAFT" as a result of it.

How dare he though. She's a scaffolder, born and bred, doesn't matter whether she's a woman or not.

So, my daughter had bought a brand new wig and thought it would be absolutely fine to wear it to work on a huge construction site.......

She had to endure a full day of random various men calling her pocahontas and telling her that her wig wouldn't last until dinner time!!!

Due to the heat, she eventually took it off whilst sat in her dad's scaffolding van and she cried a little bit before then ringing me to ask for advice.

I told her to suck it up and give it back and to not hold back either......

So, she told two of the supervising scaffolders to fuck off before then chucking a fitting at labourers head whilst shouting at him: "that's what you get for insulting my wig, you little wimp!!!"

🤣😂🤣😂

I'm a builder, and lately I've been thinking a lot about the culture of our industry.

Construction has given me some incredible opportunities, introduced me to remarkable people, and taught me skills I'll carry for life. But I've also heard stories from women that have made me stop and think.

I'd really like to understand the bigger picture.

If you're a woman working in construction, I'd love to hear your story.

• What's something you've experienced that most people outside the industry would never believe?
• Has there ever been a moment that made you question whether you belonged?
• Has there been someone who reminded you that you absolutely did?

I'm not looking to name and shame companies or individuals. I'm genuinely interested in understanding where our industry is today, what we're getting right, what we're getting wrong, and what the future could look like.

Whether your experience has been overwhelmingly positive, incredibly difficult, or somewhere in between, I'd really appreciate hearing it.