The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is celebrating Women in Construction (WIC) Week March 3-9, 2019. The focus of WIC is to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry. WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. ECS team member Samantha has been involved in NAWIC for years and currently serves as the National Women in Construction Week Co-Chair. Here she shares more about the impact NAWIC has had on her career.
How did you get involved in NAWIC initially?
The local business development manager in our office was encouraging everyone to join an association and get involved in the local community. I chose NAWIC because the guys in the office couldn’t and I felt like it was an untapped market for our office.
What is your current role with NAWIC?
Currently, I am the National Women in Construction Week Co-Chair, as well as the Regional PR & Marketing Co-Chair and President of the Asheville Chapter.
How has your involvement in NAWIC helped you professionally?
Professionally, I have made friendship and business contacts with others in our industry from around the country that I know I can contact anytime. I also have access to a member database of over 5,000 women who are always willing to help. For my personal professional growth, NAWIC has helped me find my voice. Many may not believe this especially if you weren’t around 10 years ago, but I was pretty shy and didn’t like speaking up. Since joining NAWIC, I have gained invaluable leadership experience as well as the courage to offer ideas and suggestions to be an active member of the ECS team.
What’s been your favorite Women in Construction Week memory/event you’ve participated in?
The ballfield clean-up day. It was dear to my heart because that’s where my son played baseball since he was 5. To see all those people join in to give it a makeover was an amazing site to see and an awesome experience I will not forget.
What advice do you have for a female starting her career in the A/E/C industry?
I’ll have to steal this one from that business development manager, “Join an association and get involved!” You won’t regret it. It’s the easiest way to meet more professionals outside of your firm and you may even create some lifelong friendships.
For more information on NAWIC, visit https://www.nawic.org/nawic/default.asp.