Women in Construction Week: Celebrating Women at The Collective
Published: March 3, 2024
As we commemorate Women in Construction week, it is important to recognize the invaluable contributions of women across the Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) industry. Women are making significant strides in reshaping the construction landscape and fostering innovation despite the barriers of stereotype and culture.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (source), women currently make up 10.8 percent of the construction workforce, and 26.3 percent of those categorized in “architectural, engineering, and related services”. In Canada, women currently make up 16.3 percent of the construction labor force (source). While these numbers show significant improvements from prior decades, there is still work to be done.
The Collective is dedicated to developing equity within our workforce and the industry at large. This year, we celebrate women at The Collective who are making strides within the AEC industry. These women are leaders within our organization – learn about their journey into the AEC industry below!
Jennifer Falletti, Senior Account Manager
How did you get involved in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry?
My grandfather and father were home builders and I enjoyed hanging out with them hammering nails into wood. I then got involved in small construction projects around my parents’ house such as building decks and tiling floors (I should have considered the medical field because I got pretty good at removing splinters!). Ultimately, my degree in interior design fostered my love of AEC. My first professional career in the contract industry was with a furniture dealership that also had an interiors department. In conjunction with providing furniture solutions to our clients, we also offered interior design services including architectural finish selection, construction documentation and management.
How does diversity impact your work?
I have come across my share of interesting experiences as a woman on construction sites over the last 25+ years. To this day I chuckle at the comment I received from a male subcontractor when he said, “My wife could never use a tape measure. Do you need help with that?” Today, while I walk the many floors of my current project at the Intuit Dome Arena, I note women are still in the minority on construction sites. On the chance I do pass another woman, I am sure to make eye contact and display a generous smile. It’s our code of conduct. The cool thing is every subcontractor on the Intuit jobsite must pass an in-person training course which prioritizes not only safety protocols but also equity, diversity and inclusion. There is so much respect for women builders on this project, we have our own locked porta potties with a restroom attendant that does a sweep after each use to ensure safety and comfort.
What do you enjoy most about being in the AEC industry?
The furniture industry has changed over the decades; where once we were simply the ‘people that sold furniture,’ we are now a major component of a build team. As a furniture team member one must learn how to read the room – this skill comes with experience. It takes time to build trust on a build team, you must bring your A-game to the first meeting with a strong schedule in hand. My success is knowing when to insert our work into the build schedule and how to be proactive with our services. We are involved in all sorts of coordination meetings including framing, electrical and low voltage rough-in. One of our more important services is to know when to provide the critical dimensions for the afore-mentioned trades to ensure furniture and interior architecture blend perfectly. My goal is for a client to never ask, why is the electrical outlet behind my storage cabinet where I cannot reach it?
What is your favorite part about working at The Collective?
This year I celebrate my 10-year career at The Collective! My time here has rewarded me with many opportunities to utilize the talents I’ve honed along my AEC journey. It’s funny because I do relate mostly to Architecture and Construction and forget about the Engineering aspect. I have to remind myself that we furniture folks can indeed be engineers! On many occasions I have commented to a teammate, “I don’t know how to solve this. I’m not an engineer!”, and then with my team we markup a detailed set of shop drawings for a 786LF basketball jersey display case and rework how it’s constructed and attached to the wall 12’ off the ground. I have indeed lost count of how many custom pieces of furniture I have designed and engineered.
Last, but not least, my favorite thing about working at The Collective is the TEAM I work with. We are the definition of a Collective! I am grateful to partner with a fun group of professionals that share their strengths and expertise, find value in our personal connections and care about delivering an exemplary project.
What advice would you give other women hoping to start a career in the AEC industry?
Words of wisdom: Never use a laser measurer with a red light to field survey an office occupied by police officers.
And for some real advice: Never be afraid to admit you don’t know something, most people enjoy sharing their knowledge. Stop and listen. Take copious notes. Always be prepared with a solution. Be humble. Show your grit. You don’t have to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree to be successful in this industry – curiosity and learning is most important. There is value in continued professional development and certified training classes to stay on top of your game. Understand your value. The AEC industry has many career avenues, do your research to figure out what brings you joy, network with industry professionals, and get experience with internships.
Raj Kaur, Director Program Management
How did you get involved in working in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry?
My background is architecture and I have always been intrigued by design. I landed in the commercial interiors/contract furniture industry after an opportunity presented itself back in 2005. I joined The Collective (previously Office Source) in 2008 as a CAD specialist and have since had many opportunities to grow within the organization.
How does diversity impact your work?
As a South Asian female in a leadership role, diversity profoundly impacts my work. We have a diverse team of project professionals at The Collective and I am honored to be working with individuals with different backgrounds who bring myriad of experiences, knowledge, and viewpoints to the table. Diversity challenges biases and encourages open-mindedness. It has certainly inspired me to be creative in my approach, be more inclusive and see the world from a unique perspective. I’ve learned to employ empathy and understanding towards situations which has enabled me to collaborate and connect better with my team and my colleagues.
What do you enjoy most about being in the AEC (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) industry?
As a Project Management professional, I enjoy working on projects that allow me to collaborate with all stakeholders and produce tangible results. The AEC industry is constantly evolving and there is ample opportunity to grow and develop your skills. Throughout the lifecycle of a project, we learn a great deal about ourselves and our clients. Each project is unique and brings its own challenges which can turn into opportunities if you keep an open mind.
What is your favorite part about working at The Collective?
Our strong sense of community, our culture, and ability to collaborate with each other. Whether it is sharing feedback, experiences or celebrating achievements, our team members are always there to support each other.
What advice would you give other women hoping to start a career in the AEC industry?
Find your strengths, embrace your skills, challenge the stereotypes and be yourself! Continue learning and develop new skills through education and find a mentor who can guide you through your career journey.
Felicia Hernandez, Business Development Architectural Products
How did you get involved in working in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry?
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and started my career in Construction Management as a Project Coordinator, which provided me with valuable exposure to various projects. This experience allowed me to familiarize myself with the project process, expand my industry knowledge, and gradually transition to managing smaller-scale projects before advancing to the role of Project Manager. Along the way, I focused on improving my communication skills, learning from challenges, and building the confidence to ask pertinent questions crucial to project success. Inspired by my late mentor, Henry Martinez, I pursued a Master’s degree in Construction Management & Technology, motivated by his exemplary leadership and effective team management in the industry.
How does diversity impact your work?
It positively impacts women by providing opportunities for greater representation, fostering an inclusive workplace culture where all voices are valued, and promoting innovation through the integration of diverse perspectives and experiences. Additionally, diverse teams in architecture, engineering, and construction enable women to collaborate with colleagues from different backgrounds, enhancing their professional growth and contributing to the overall success and competitiveness of AEC firms.
What do you enjoy most about being in the AEC (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) industry?
I enjoy the opportunity to contribute to shaping the built environment and bringing innovative designs to life. Collaborating with architects, engineers, and construction professionals to overcome challenges and create functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces is incredibly rewarding!
What is your favorite part about working at The Collective?
The people. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting each individual and learning more about who they are and seeing that come through their work for successful outcomes!
What advice would you give other women hoping to start a career in the AEC industry?
Educate yourself, this will provide a solid foundation and assist with gaining opportunities to obtain hands-on experience. Familiarize yourself with construction technology tools used within the industry. Stand confidently in asking those questions; majority of the time, it’s assisting others on the project too. Trust that you not only deserve a seat at the table, but to have a voice too. Network, this is where you will meet like-minded individuals who can offer both mentorship & support.
Embrace challenges! It is unfortunately no surprise that challenges may arise for a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. Be prepared to navigate through obstacles with resilience and determination. Use challenges as opportunities for growth and learning!
Stay focused, believe in yourself, and leverage your unique perspective and skills to thrive in the industry!