If asked which career holds the most promise and opportunity for women, the construction industry is likely not on most people\u2019s radar. Historically, jobs in construction have been dominated by men and women have felt unwelcome in work environments that are not designed to accommodate or include them. But the current reality for women in construction is trending in a positive direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Capital Planning and Development\u2019s<\/a> efforts to recruit a gender inclusive workforce have been a success, with the number of women working in construction management at OSU far outpacing the national average of just under 18%.<\/a>\u00a0 Capital Planning and Development is part of OSU\u2019s Division of Finance and Administration<\/a>, which is committed to equitable hiring and eliminating structural biases<\/a>. \u00a0The Project Delivery<\/a> team, in charge of managing a range of capital and small construction projects across all of OSU, is almost evenly split with women representing 45% of project manager or construction manager roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Project Manager Julie Drolet is finishing up overseeing construction of the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts<\/a> building, which opened in April 2024. She said she knew she wanted to be architect when she was just 13 years old. After graduating from a degree program that included only two women, she applied for a competitive role at large firm in Portland. In 1983, she became the company\u2019s very first female architectural employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen I became licensed architect, I could count the number of licensed women architects in Portland on both hands,\u201d she said. Although Drolet said it has been difficult to see women in the field treated unfairly over the years, she has witnessed incredible progress as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe firm where I was a principal had 50% of our team that were women and that was over 15 years ago,\u201d Drolet said. \u201cIt has been nice to see the change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While being in the minority can be challenging for women, Capital Planning and Development Intern Alicia Le\u00f3n, who will be graduating from OSU this spring, sees her career choice as an important step toward greater representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI enjoy being one of few women,\u201d she said. \u201cI feel like it is a step in the right direction and that I am impacting the industry positively \u2026 I greatly enjoy the coworkers and support systems I have from within the job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2022, the Washington Post reported<\/a> that women have made significant strides forward in the construction industry over the past several years. That progress has been driven by labor shortages, focused effort on the part of advocacy groups and other factors. The growth has been led by Hispanic women, who have increased their presence in the industry by 117% since 2016. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But there are larger forces pushing for change as well. In 2022, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo launched the Million Women in Construction initiative<\/a> to increase the number of women working in the industry. The initiative is part of a broader effort within the Department of Commerce to invest in semi-conductor manufacturing and expand high-speed internet service across the country. To meet these goals, more construction workers will be needed than currently exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OSU Construction Manager Scylise Little started college intending to study civil engineering but then discovered construction engineering management with the support of her college advisor. Although statistics show that the construction industry is opening up for women, Little was one of only five women in her graduating class in 2019. She is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction<\/a>, which is an organization that provides professional development opportunities and resources through a network of local chapters across the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can say that it takes a certain amount of empowerment and confidence to stand out so much in the group and stay on the path, especially when your perspective is so much different, as well as your priorities,\u201d she said. \u201cEven as a student I had to stand against quiet misogyny and not every person is empowered to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n