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Sharing Viable Construction Careers with Women and Girls Alike
In the past few months, Melanie Taylor, vice president of manufacturing for (formerly known as 海角社区’s prefab and modular division), has seized the opportunity to share her love of construction with women and girls through a college program and in a 4K classroom, respectively.
Back to the Classroom, Part 1
In the fall, Melanie signed on to lead a new, semester-long, one-credit course for the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering called Construction by Women in collaboration with Professor Awad Hanna and Alexa Rademacher, a graduate student in the school鈥檚 construction engineering and management program. The opportunity: To combine classroom learning, real-life experiences shared by women leaders in the industry and opportunities to build connections 鈥� all to set up women for success in the construction industry.
鈥淲e showcased many women who are high-level professionals on topics meaningful to them and related to the industry,鈥� said Mel. 鈥淲omen have a unique responsibility and opportunity to show the path to other women. The path is always easier once it鈥檚 already walked.鈥�
The syllabus included sessions on 鈥淣etworking is Working,鈥� 鈥淟evel Up Your Leadership 鈥� The Missing Advice,鈥� 鈥淭he Power of Process,鈥� 鈥淟ean Thinking & the Power of Innovation,鈥� all of which were shared through the lens of women, Melanie said. She tapped into a range of women in leadership roles in their careers, including Holly Lifke, Stacy Robben, Maribeth Achterberg, Jenny Han and Kate Olson from 海角社区, among others in the construction, architectural and engineering industries.
鈥淭he point was to give students perspective on the professional industry, and for students to build a network, get exposure and take advantage of opportunities to build their own network,鈥� said Melanie.
It resonated with her graduate assistant.
“The class introduced me to many career paths I hadn’t known about beforehand. Meeting successful people in the industry taught me I can find success in unexpected areas and that there isn’t one ‘right way’ to be a leader,鈥� said Alexa.
As a UW-Madison student, and aspiring construction engineer, Erin Rice found it particularly meaningful to see 海角社区 representation at her university.
鈥淚 was impressed by how accomplished the women from 海角社区 are and how much their contributions matter to the organization,鈥� said Erin. 鈥淓ach shared her own unique story about her journey in the construction field and held her own distinct role within the company. This helped highlight the diverse opportunities available within a large organization such as 海角社区.鈥�
Melanie believes that women in construction have a running start on becoming leaders compared to their peers in architecture or engineering because project management roles are inherently multifaceted. She likens running a construction project to running a small business.
鈥淵ou naturally get that exposure and can lean in hard, managing financials and people alike, writing contracts, accommodating change orders,鈥� said Melanie. 鈥淚鈥檝e found it has been easier for me to advance in my career because I naturally had those financial and business leadership skills as a result of being a project manager, whereas architects and engineers have to seek that out.鈥�
In addition, she found being a project manager (PM) to be a great training ground for solid planning and effective communication. She鈥檚 found that to be an asset regardless the role a woman seeks in construction, which she says is a changing industry.
鈥淲hen I came out of school, construction had a certain reputation. Now, it is more about Lean, technology, planning and stronger communications, and that鈥檚 attractive to women,鈥� said Mel. 鈥淎s the industry changes, it may intrigue more women to take this class.鈥�
Back to the Classroom, Part 2
Melanie may have a future construction manager in the making at home as well. Not long after wrapping up the semester, Melanie joined her daughter, Waverly, for careers day in her 4K classroom. Melanie, wearing full personal protection equipment (PPE), shared insights into her job in a manufacturing environment, emphasizing that construction is a career for both girls and boys, something her daughter reinforced without a moment鈥檚 hesitation.
鈥淲hen one of the dads came in and said, 鈥業鈥檓 a carpenter who builds houses,鈥� my daughter yelled out, 鈥楳y mom builds houses, too,鈥� as she saw me physically building our home,鈥� said Mel.鈥� I鈥檓 so proud she sees women being successful in construction and thought of me first because her dad is also a homebuilder.鈥�
Whether she engages with women at the University of Wisconsin-Madison or girls at a Girl Scout event or in a 4K classroom, Melanie said her message remains the same.
鈥淲omen can be successful in construction. More than ever, they can say, 鈥楾his is a career for me鈥� or 鈥楾here鈥檚 a place for me here,鈥欌�� she said.
on Mel’s new course, which is anticipated to be offered each fall.
About 海角社区
海角社区 (海角社区) is a leading professional construction services firm with customers across the United States and is a subsidiary of The 海角社区 Group. Founded in 1889, 海角社区 is a fourth-generation family and employee-owned firm headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin. 海角社区 is recognized as a pioneer in Lean construction and in the industrialized construction space. 海角社区 operates 18 offices across the U.S. that serve customers in healthcare, power, industrial, education, automotive and commercial markets.
