Girls and Women Should Consider a Career in Construction
March 1 marks the first day of Women in Construction (WIC) Week, a weeklong celebration of women in the construction industry.
WIC Week is sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to raise awareness of the many opportunities that are available for women in the industry. The week is also set aside to emphasize the growing role of women in construction.
And there is room to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up only 10.3% of the U.S. workforce in the construction industry. We think that should change. In honor of WIC Week, here are four reasons why girls and women should consider a career in the construction industry:
- There is a ton of opportunity. The industry is hurting for smart, creative and detailed professionals from diverse backgrounds. Career paths can take many directions, from working in the field to project management to analysis, business development and so much more.
- The pay gap is smaller. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the construction industry earn on average 99.1% of what men make. This is significantly better than the overall average of just 81.1%.
- It’s an ideal profession for natural problem-solvers. Love a good challenge? Then a career in construction might be for you. Every day is different, but there’s one thing you can count on: you’ll never be bored. On a daily basis, our Associates roll up their sleeves and put their heads together to solve tough issues and overcome hurdles.
- You have the satisfaction of saying, “I helped build that.” No matter what your job title is, you will have a hand in building dreams and changing lives by revitalizing and adding to the communities around you. That’s something you can point out to friends and family with pride.
At Miller-Valentine Group, we believe that bringing more women into our field benefits not just their careers, but our industry as a whole. That’s why diversity and inclusion are key to our business strategy. In fact, 43% of our management team is made up of women. And we recruit more women to positions at all levels of our company every year. We are also committed to working with Women Business Enterprises to encourage more diverse thinking on our projects.
“It’s no longer a ‘man’s world’ in construction,” said Jane Brown, Construction Labor Manager/Office Manager. “The opportunities are there at every level. Visit the carpentry program at your local career tech center. It’s a great way to start your career exploration into our industry. Gets some hands-on learning experience and see where your interests take you.”
Want to learn more about available opportunities? Contact Josh Welsh at 513.774.8400 today.
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Whether you’re looking for a collaborative partner on your next construction project or a rewarding career opportunity, we are here to support and guide you toward future success.