Women In Construction Week: Encouraging Women To Explore Career Opportunities In Construction
Women in Construction Week is an annual event celebrated in the first week of March. This year, Women in Construction (WIC) Week also coincides with International Women’s Day. This week-long celebration recognizes and honors the contributions of women in the construction industry. Various activities, including workshops, seminars, and networking events provide opportunities for women in the industry to connect, share their experiences, and learn from one another. The nationwide event, organized by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), provides a platform for raising awareness of the opportunities available for women in construction and inspiring the next generation of female builders.
Historically, the construction industry has been male-dominated. However, women have been making significant progress in the industry over the years. More women are entering the construction industry, and they are making a significant impact in various roles, including engineers, architects, project managers, contractors, electricians, plumbers, and welders. Women are bringing unique skills and perspectives to the construction industry, making it more diverse and inclusive.
The same can be said about the female team members at Friede & Associates. Ranging from C-Suite to administrative managers, the women at Friede are hardworking and dedicated contributors to the industry. Their attention to detail, high level of communication, and ability to multi-task are qualities these team members possess that make them ideal for contract administration, accounting, project management, and business development tasks.
Vice President of Business Development Carole Schaeffer looks over a set of plans with Estimator Justin Sornsin
Carole Schaeffer, Vice President of Business Development, is a 15-year industry veteran. In that time, she has distinguished herself as a passionate advocate for the real estate and construction industry in the Greater Madison area. In 2005, Carole was named Executive Director of Smart Growth Greater Madison where she lobbied for the real estate development industry on issues such as tax incremental finance, planning, and zoning. She moved on to become the Vice President of Business Development for the Madison market for one of the largest general contractors in the Midwest, later joining Friede & Associates in 2020. She was recognized by InBusiness magazine as one of the 40 under 40 and Top 5 Women in Economic Development. She was also the inaugural recipient of the 25 Most Influential Madison Area People.
Carole knows that people tend to think about fieldwork when they think about the construction industry, but she knows there are lots of opportunities in design, engineering, project management, sustainability, and technology—all skills in which women excel.
“Construction is a great industry to work in, and young women should know how many opportunities there are for them,” Carole says. “I think there are many great careers for a woman to consider in the construction industry and I encourage young women to explore those options.”
Morgan Tribbey, who was recently promoted to Director of Project Management, says, “I like to say that construction chose me. My family had always been in construction. My grandfather was a steel erector in Madison and I have uncles who work in landscaping and tile work.” Morgan joined Friede & Associates in 2008 as an administrative assistant. She became a Contract Administrator in 2012 and was named a Project Manager in 2020, later being promoted to a Director-level position in 2023.
Director of Project Management Morgan Tribbey and Estimator Justin Sornsin have a light moment during a staff meeting
Morgan’s career is a shining example of starting in an entry-level position and learning everything on the job. “I started the journey to become a project manager as a contract administrator, assisting project managers with contracts, change orders, and venturing into the field for progress meetings and site visits—which are my favorite part,” she notes. “When a former project manager was preparing to retire, I took on more responsibility and really started to understand the link between the PMs and the subcontractors.”
Morgan’s advice for women who are interested in choosing a career path in construction: “Select an area that interests you–whether it is electrical, welding, or general contracting—and research local companies. They may have a mentorship program or will allow you to observe their work in the field. That’s a great way to find a path that interests you.”
Contract Administrator Linda Gibson has been with Friede & Associates since 2002. When she joined the team as an administrative assistant, she knew very little about the construction industry. She credits Ron Kellen, CFO, and Jeff Behnke, Senior Estimator, with mentoring her and guiding her through the office and accounting tasks. “Jeff has taught me about construction and some of the processes. I had no knowledge of construction prior to starting at Friede, and now I can say I know a lot more than I did when I started.”
Linda has held nearly every position in the office—she was hired as an office assistant which included front office duties and accounts payable. She then worked her way into the contract administrator role where she prepared contracts and purchase orders and kept the paperwork in order throughout the project. She also assisted with projects that were sent out for bids from start to finish. Later, Linda moved into a role where she assisted upper management with different tasks and also began completing the field payroll.
Contract Administrators Linda Gibson, right, and Shell Lee Langendorf, left, collaborate in the Friede & Associates office
Since then, she has found her way back to being a contract administrator, which is her current role. As far as encouraging other women to consider positions in the construction industry, Linda says, “Construction is exciting and rewarding, and doesn’t have to be just for men anymore!”
Fellow Contract Administrator Shell Lee Langendorf also started her career at Friede in 2017 without much knowledge of the industry. However, her stellar management skills made her an ideal candidate for the position. One thing Shell Lee has learned in her time at Friede is that construction is inherently challenging and her part in a project is no different. “Every job has obstacles,” she says. “I think the key to any challenge is trying to remain calm and focus on what the experience is trying to teach you. I just try to break down the issue into what I can address, coordinate with others on the things I can’t resolve independently, and then reassess how to do things differently the next time around to try to avoid the same issue from presenting itself in future situations.”
Despite the challenges associated with construction, Shell Lee would definitely encourage other women to consider a career in construction. “There are a lot of roles and contributions women can make throughout the construction process. I personally see construction as a career that offers a lot of opportunities in being part of a developing project,” she adds. “It’s refreshing to see other women on the job sites and to know our knowledge, skills, and strengths are needed in this growing industry. The opportunities are out there, and this field offers a lot of variety to continue to learn and to challenge ourselves to develop new skills.”
When Office Manager and CFO Assistant Tabatha Weiss relocated to Reedsburg a few years ago, she had never thought about going into construction because she had 14 years of experience in the hospitality management industry. “When Friede posted the Office Manager/CFO Assistant position I knew it was what I wanted to do,” explains Tabatha. “My husband, who has worked in construction his entire life, told me Friede & Associates is a great company, so I went for it. I was ready for the challenge to try something new.”
At the start of her career with Friede, Tabatha credits Ron Kellen with taking her under his wing. “If I had questions or didn’t understand something, he was right there to help me. He has definitely made me a better office manager and assistant,” she adds. “I was taught there are Three Cs of mentorship: consultant, counselor, and cheerleader. Ron has consistently done all three to help me continually improve.”
As the mother of four daughters, the subject of women in construction hits home. “To quote Amelia Earhart, ‘The most effective way to do it, is to do it,’” says Tabatha. “Any woman considering a career in construction should absolutely go for it. Don’t be afraid to shatter the glass ceiling.”
In addition to celebrating and recognizing the achievements of women in the construction industry, WIC Week also provides a platform to highlight the challenges faced by women in the industry. Women in construction have faced various challenges, including gender bias, harassment, and discrimination. These challenges can discourage women from pursuing a career in construction. However, through events like WIC Week, the industry is working to address these challenges and create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for women.
The construction industry is vital to the global economy and it needs more women. The industry is projected to grow significantly over the next few years and there is a growing demand for skilled workers. Women have a significant role to play in meeting this demand. By encouraging more women to join the construction industry, we can create a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and increase innovation and creativity. WIC Week is an essential event that provides a platform to highlight the progress made by women in the industry, the challenges they face, and the opportunities available for women in the sector. By supporting and empowering women in construction, we can create a more diverse, inclusive, and prosperous industry.
