We’re proud to recognize our Women in Construction and help NAWIC advance it’s mission to strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry.
Multifamily construction careers at Summit Contracting Group span multiple levels and specialties, from administrative roles to field superintendents and project management.
We’ve highlighted some Career Journeys this week. Read more below! #WICWEEK2020
Jennifer has been a Superintendent with Summit for almost a year. We asked her what she loves about construction and how she found her way to her current career. Here’s what she had to say:
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?
I love many things about construction – but the primary reason would be the fast paced, challenging environment. It is very rarely boring!
One of the best parts of my job are creating long standing partnerships with the subcontractors we have on many of our sites – fostering those relationships in order to have the best possible production and quality as a result. Coordination with our trade partners is very important to Summit’s success as well as the project success overall.
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THIS CAREER PATH?
I discovered my career in construction as a result of my husband taking a job as a traveling lead superintendent in the medical division for another GC. It became clear very quickly that I needed to be involved – starting as a field clerk/project engineer, and within 6 months an assistant in the field.
ADVICE FOR OTHER WOMEN IN A CONSTRUCTION CAREER:
My best advice for a woman coming into the field is honesty is the best policy. We can never fake it till we make it. Don’t be concerned about not immediately knowing the answer to a concern or question – the key is to take that concern and then make it your mission to research it and find the answer. Follow-through and organization are your best friends. The sooner trade partners begin to trust you and your ability to take on issues and see them through to resolution the better.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT CONSTRUCTION?
Every day is different. There’s never a dull day. We are always progressing, always moving forward to the ultimate end goal that is project completion.
It’s so satisfying watching a project progress from nothing more than a lot of trees, old vacant buildings, empty lots, etc., into these beautiful apartments that will one day be someone’s home.
THE BEST PART ABOUT MY JOB?
You’re always learning something new, and no two days will ever be the same.
ADVICE FOR WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION?
Stand your ground. Be confident. Give it your all, and prove that women are just as capable of being superintendents.
Amanda has been a Summit Superintendent for almost 2 Years.
With a little grit and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone to learn, Amanda Noe is an excellent example of career success in the construction industry. She began at Summit Contracting Group in 2012 as a project administrator, then was promoted to Preconstruction Services in 2016. She recently completed 14 months in the field as an assistant superintendent, to expand her knowledge of multifamily construction.
HERE’S WHAT AMANDA HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE:
In October 2018 I transferred from the corporate office to a construction job site for 14 months as part of a career building experience. My mission was to absorb as much knowledge from every perspective as humanly possible.
The first few weeks were taxing, trying to dig footers with incessant rain, followed by 2:00 am concrete pours. From the footers all the way through our final punch, I was able to make use of skills I already had combined with help from the team to overcome challenges and learn the entire process.
Spreadsheet and inventory skills pulled me through the barrage of lumber deliveries. Truss deliveries were like matching puzzle pieces together in no specific order. Rough-in required daily walks and follow-up to ensure the project stayed on schedule and subcontractors stayed motivated. Due to a logistically tight jobsite delivery coordination was necessity. Jobsite clean-up was a daily challenge for both safety and logistical reasons. We sailed through finishes. Punch was accomplished by consistently being persistent.
In all, my ability to visualize a project from start to finish has been greatly amplified by having first-hand knowledge of how Summit builds and the unique manner in which we collaborate with our Subcontractors.
I would like to say “Thank You” to the amazing field team and all the Subcontractors that made this possible. Thank you all for working with me, for teaching me and for tolerating me. It was truly an honor to work beside you all. And thank you to Summit for allowing me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone so I could grow in my knowledge of Multifamily building!
“Construction runs through my blood, my favorite part about my job is watching the productivity increase with every properly communicated detail. I believe women in the field provide a much needed different approach to the project, a yin to the yang, creating a necessary balanced flow onsite.”
– Melissa, Superintendent
Melissa grew up in a construction family, and was no stranger to working on a job site. She began her Summit career two years ago as an Assistant Superintendent, and through her persistent drive to learn everything about the project she has quickly progressed and has made a goal to become a Project Manager in the future.
We asked Michelle, one of our Project Administrators, to tell us her Career Journey:
“In 1997 I worked for a company involved in the Parks & Recreation Industries, which gave me experience in contracts, purchasing and permits with Municipalities. I then joined an engineering firm that was also involved in Low Voltage and Specialties. I took a leap of faith to pursue an opportunity that would better advance my career. Landing a job with Summit is the best risk I ever took. Learning the industry from the General Contractor’s perspective has been a challenge, but it has also given me the realization that I can take pride in my talents and feel accomplished on a daily basis.”
Her advice for women out there coming into this field:
Michelle has been a rock star Project Administrator at Summit for 6 years this March.