In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Junior Estimator Kaitlyn Mellon), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.
Describe what you do at Warfel: I assist other estimators to complete the estimating process for various construction jobs. This process includes reviewing drawings and specifications, understanding the scope of work, calling subcontractors and manufactures, and completing an estimate of my own. My estimate includes taking off quantities and applying prices to those quantities accurately.
Where did you go to school? I went to Millersville University in Lancaster PA.
How long have you worked at Warfel? I started at Warfel in May of 2017, a few months short of a year.
What did you do before you came to Warfel? I started in construction when worked with my dad doing hands-on construction work during summers and winter breaks, mostly carpentry work. I had two internships with a subcontracting company and one of our competitors, then I graduated college with a degree in construction management and started working at Warfel.
What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite parts of my job are the people and atmosphere. Everyone at Warfel are always willing to help you out with anything. Being still somewhat new, it is always good to have a supportive work environment.
What is your most exciting accomplishment? My largest and most recent accomplishment was being on a winning bid team for a project at ACTS Cokesbury. It was awesome to see our team’s hard work come together.
What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Warfel is a great place to work. Everyone is super hardworking and positive. When I was hired someone said “Warfel hires people based on how their personality will fit with current employees” I would say that is 100% accurate. I have a lot of great coworkers.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Everyone makes mistakes or errors occasionally. Admit your mistakes, learn from it and move on.
What has changed the most since you’ve started your career? My motivation level has increased since starting at Warfel. It is a great feeling to be a part of a great company and knowing your work is appreciated.
What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry? I love seeing the progression of a construction project. Watching a building go from ground up is so interesting and satisfying to me.
What do you think is the most challenging part of the construction industry? The most challenging part about working in construction is being a young woman. I have just graduated college so I am still young and I do not have as much experience as most people in our industry. Construction in the past has been primarily males, but it is nice to see this changing one woman at a time.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I love going to concerts, participating in bar crawls and going to the beach.
What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I did Irish step dancing for six years of my life.
You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.