Beyond the Numbers: The Women’s Hidden Narrative

"I was living on a job site trailer, steel toe boots, pouring concrete, you know, doing that whole thing," says Erin Elizabeth Downing, Director of North California at Gardiner & Theobald, as she recalls her hands-on experience in a field where women make up only 11.2% of the construction workforce. Despite this significant underrepresentation, women dedicated to succeeding in a male-dominated field bring unique storylines worth hearing and sharing.

At Hays as a leading US construction agency we want to shed light on the career paths of women thriving in the construction industry, sharing their experiences, challenges, and successes. Using our network to provide a platform for their voices to be heard, and their achievements acknowledged and appreciated. This narrative goes beyond the numbers, revealing the hidden biases and systemic challenges that women face daily, emphasizing the importance of gender equality.

Taking Action

You can also take initiative and make their voices heard by downloading our employee appreciation templates, and using them to celebrate your teams. You can also watch, listen and share the full interviews this blog is based on here:

• Hear Erin Elizabeth Downing, Director of North California at Gardiner & Theobald's career journey and advice
• See Catherine McHale, Director at VVA Project Managers and Consultants has overcome challenges and what she advises to get ahead in your career

Early Career: Building Networks and Seeking Mentorship

Erin highlights the importance of building a network and seeking mentorship, even though she never had a mentor herself. She empathizes with her past self, recalling the challenges she faced early in her career. "When I started as a General Contractor Inspector, I had to actually fax out bids to get them back, which for anybody younger probably doesn't even know what a fax machine is." Reflecting on these experiences and considering the manual, repetitive nature of the task, Erin wishes she had a mentor to help her better navigate essential tasks early in her career. Feeling unsupported early on, Erin’s story underscores the lack of mentorship and support systems for women in the industry. Now, as a leader, she sets the tone for her past self and those who follow, emulating the qualities of the mentor she wished she had. She states, "I encourage my team as much as possible. I'm like, please have coffee at least once a week."

Catherine McHale also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and networking. She shares, "Relocating back home to LA from New York, I had to re-establish my whole network. Over the last 10 years, I really rebuilt a whole new network... One thing leads to the other." 63% of women never having had a formal mentor, while men are more likely to be assigned mentors through their organizations, Catherine's experience highlights the necessity of building networks in a male-dominated field. It doesn’t stop with one connection; she put in the extra work, persistently running with the hope that any of her next connections could lead to her big break. This effort extends beyond her organisation, as the work doesn’t stop in the workspace. Catherine's resilience over the past decade, tirelessly building her network just like Erin, exemplifies the hidden biases and systemic challenges that women face daily. Her journey showcases women's breathtaking resilience and unique strength.

Mid-Career: Advice for Companies on Supporting Women

Erin believes companies should listen to women's voices, ensure pay equity, and support their professional development. She insists that "Women in this industry are still predominantly underpaid. Showing them, respect means more than just saying thank you; it means paying them fair and equitable salaries." Downing highlights a small yet significantly narrow pay gap of 96% between men and women in the industry, a disparity that must not be overlooked but rectified to achieve true equity. Erin's call for fair pay and professional support illuminates the stark realities and systemic issues that persist within the industry, highlighting the need for company culture.

Late Career Mastery: Essential Skills for Success

Catherine emphasizes that "Every project has its unique challenges, and that's part of what I love about my role." Embrace each challenge, for they will forge your strength. The journey is endless, with new trials at every turn. Lead with courage and uncover the skills within you. Just as every project has challenges, women face unique biases and systemic career obstacles. Catherine's approach to embracing and solving these challenges mirrors the resilience and unique strength required by women to navigate these biases.  

Gender bias in male-dominated fields often silences women's voices, overshadowing their stories with statistics. Highlighting these hidden narratives helps us understand the unique challenges women face and fosters a more inclusive construction industry. By sharing insights and strategies, women can thrive, just as Erin, Catherine, and many others have.  

For personalized career advice, speak to our experts today.