Women in Construction: How Mentors Helped Shape My Construction Career

When most people think of a male-dominated field, they likely think of the construction industry. While it’s true that women only account for approximately 9.9% of the sector’s workforce in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that didn’t stop me.

Jacki Valdez, product manager - operational excellence, Sunbelt RentalsAs a woman in the construction industry, my aim was no different than in any other position in any other industry: I wanted to achieve success. Of course, reaching my goals wasn’t easy. It required commitment, patience and a lot of hard work. Most importantly, it required putting myself out there, taking calculated risks and learning the ins and outs of the construction industry, the equipment and the technology.

Combining determination with the right mentorship support, I was able to set myself up for building a fulfilling, long-term career in construction.

Guidance at a Young Age

I entered the construction industry by accident. I was in culinary school and I needed a job to support myself. That’s where I met my first mentor, Sabina Dahl. I worked alongside her as an assistant for a homebuilder. She taught me about the homebuilding process and how to help future homeowners get what they wanted out of the new construction home-buying experience, all within their budgets. She also showed me how their decisions could maximize resale.

Eventually, I would continue my construction career at the Dahl family business and work with her husband, Rick, who owned a construction equipment company that was later sold to Sunbelt Rentals. I admired seeing how Sabina used her skills to help Rick make decisions, negotiate and create a vision for the family business.

According to Valdez, "I wouldn’t have gotten to where I’m at today without the mentors who helped me navigate along the way and supported my career growth."Sunbelt RentalsEven though I was determined to finish culinary school, I knew at the age of 18 that I wanted to be a part of the construction industry, due in part to Sabina and Rick’s mentorship. I believe mentorship can bring value and insight to women who have an interest in building a career in construction. It can also help overcome apprehensions about taking on roles traditionally filled by men — and enable women to prosper.

Just like with any career, my start in the construction industry required me to work at entry-level positions and then work my way up to positions of progressive responsibility, like service manager, operations manager and eventually business development. Now, I’m a product manager in operational excellence at Sunbelt Rentals.

Shaping a Career

A healthy mentorship can guide success and help women grow, learn and thrive. I wouldn’t have gotten to where I’m at today without the mentors who helped me navigate along the way and supported my career growth. They brought my attention to new job openings within the company and gave me varied responsibilities, all of which were instrumental in learning more about the business. I’ve been fortunate to always have a mentor who has been a leader — someone who:

• set the course by example
• could guide me to become independent and self-sufficient
• and gave me a seat at the table

While I’ve mostly had female mentors, men can and often do play an integral role in the mentorship relationship. I believe Rick created an environment where all employees could be successful. He gave everyone an opportunity that provided growth for the individual, the business and the customer. His guidance, combined with Sabina’s, played a vital role in my career and the growth I’ve achieved. 

While I don’t necessarily consider myself a mentor, I definitely advocate for women on our team and help them see the value in themselves and drive them to achieve. In short, it’s about empowerment.

Navigating Change

Developing a relationship with a mentor can happen in multiple ways, but the important part is to make it happen. A mentor may be within the company you work for and aligned with the same career path. Other times, it could be someone from outside your path who offers different insights and, potentially, opportunity for career growth.

"There are strong women in leadership positions throughout Sunbelt Rentals, which is encouraging to see,' says Valdez. "I don’t have to look very far to see women in all departments, in a variety of roles, and with different levels of leadership thriving."Sunbelt RentalsIt’s not just the mentee who benefits from the relationship. There is value to companies, too. Having women grow their careers in the construction industry adds to efforts to improve diversity and inclusion, aids in employee retention and provides leadership experience for the mentor.

There are strong women in leadership positions throughout Sunbelt Rentals, which is encouraging to see. I don’t have to look very far to see women in all departments, in a variety of roles and with different levels of leadership thriving. 

Podcast: Ladies of Sunbelt Rentals Discuss Opportunities for Women in Construction

I would also encourage women who are considering going into the construction industry, or already in the industry, to look to associations and networking events to widen their opportunity to engage with others. As more companies develop diversity and inclusion programs, the occasions for women to come together and share their experiences have become more frequent.

Talking with supervisors or colleagues is also important to fostering relationships. Some social media channels, like LinkedIn and Facebook, have groups for women in construction to discuss their roles in the industry and to seek out new information. Likewise, colleges and certification classes are good spaces for networking.

Mentors shaped me to become the leader I am today. As a woman in this industry, I sat in the back of the room for a long time because I felt that was where I belonged. Now, I do whatever I can to sit in the front row. And women just like me who are willing to work and put in the time to learn from mentors can do so, too.