Warfel Construction Celebrates Women in Construction Week 2024

Warfel Construction Celebrates “Women in Construction Week 2024”

East Petersburg, PA – Warfel Construction celebrates the role that women play in the construction industry. The week of March 4 through 10, 2024 is Women in Construction Week. Warfel asked some of their valued team members for insight into their careers in construction. These include:

• Lauren Carter, Project Engineer
• Brittany Dewar, Marketing Communications Coordinator
• Brenda Faircloth, Office Coordinator
• Amber Schnader, LEED® AP BD+C, Senior Cost Manager
• Sheila Snyder, Senior Project Director

Warfel Construction (WC): When did you first consider a career in the construction industry, and what drew you to your final decision to pursue this line of work?

• Lauren Carter (LC): I wasn’t particularly looking to join the construction field. I was a loan officer for 4 years at a local credit union and was just looking for an out. I stumbled upon an opening at an excavating company for an administrative assistant. Going into the construction world knowing absolutely nothing about construction was a bit intimidating at first but I quickly became eager to learn more. Almost 9 years later, I don’t regret my career change.
• Brittany Dewar (BD): I wasn’t looking to work in the construction industry specifically, but it sort of just happened. I came across the open job position, and I thought “Why not?”
• Brenda Faircloth (BF): I had some major life changes and wanted to pursue something different from banking which I had been in for 18 + years. I grew up in a construction family and found the process of piecing a project together interesting.
• Amber Schnader (AS): In high school, I wanted to be an architect, but I was good at math and science so I was encouraged to look at engineering programs. My friend’s dad is a structural engineer so I learned about his path and I chose to pursue a civil engineering degree. I loved my construction management class in college and my construction internships solidified that it was the right path for me.
• Sheila Snyder (SS): In high school, I took a mechanical drafting class and loved it. I knew I didn’t want to draw ‘widgets’ for a living so I went to trade school for architectural drafting. I was a draftsman for 9 years, but at that time, as an architectural draftsperson, I knew I wanted to run projects. I went back to school for my BS in Construction Management, got an opportunity to work in estimating, and then was given an opportunity to be a project manager. The rest is herstory.

WC: Were there any mentors or family members who encouraged you to pursue this career path, and gave you a sense of confidence in your decision?

• LC: My husband has his own stone masonry business, so it was an easy transition. He focuses on masonry but has a ton of construction knowledge so there were plenty of nights I went home, asking him questions.
• BD: Not specifically, however, my dad has worked in trades his entire career and he is someone I look up to. I always admired his work ethic. My dad worked in HVAC for years and was also an instructor for ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors). He has attended similar events through ABC that I now attend and engage with.
• BF: My dad always loved his work in construction, and he was so excited to hear that I was showing interest as well.
• AS: Yes, both family members and teachers encouraged me to do engineering and were supportive of the interest I then developed in construction.
• SS: My Mom always taught me that I could do anything I wanted…and that’s pretty much it. The rest is described above.

WC: Once you made your decision on a construction career, what steps did you take to prepare? Did you pursue certifications or further education? Or has it been primarily real-world, on-the-job, day-to-day experience? 

• LC: For me, it was day-to-day and on-the-job experiences. I am a very hands-on, visual learner so that’s what really helped me get a grasp on construction.
• BD: My education in Business Administration and Marketing has helped support the marketing aspect of my job but getting to know and learn construction requires real-world, on-the-job experience that you can’t necessarily learn in the classroom. BF: My education in Business Administration and Marketing has helped support the marketing aspect of my job but getting to know and learn construction requires real-world, on-the-job experience that you can’t necessarily learn in the classroom.
• BF: I have relied on real-world experience. I had experience working with my dad, but only on the field side. Working in the office I was able to put what I know from the field into my office duties. Helping my dad gave me the ability to understand what coworkers are speaking of when they are talking about CMU walls, grading, trusses, VRV systems, switchgear, etc. I did take a blueprint reading class with ABC.
• AS: For certifications, I became a LEED AP right after starting my career, because I loved my sustainability classes in college. I’m currently looking into financial certifications since I am specializing in that aspect of construction management. My growth in my career has come from on-the-job experience, which I credit to spending a lot of time on job sites in the early years of my career and asking a lot of questions of the seasoned team members.
• SS: As a draftsman, with an associate degree in architectural drafting, I went back to school, while working, to get my degree in Construction Management, and then went on to get my MBA, all while either being a draftsman, an estimator, and eventually a project manager. I have no idea how I did it, but I did.

WC: Have there been any times when you encountered “old school” thinking, presenting a challenge in doing your job?

• LC: There are definitely times where I still get the vibe women aren’t accepted in the industry/don’t belong but first and foremost, don’t ever let that stop you or drag you down. Instead, use that to your benefit and keep pushing through.
• BD: No. I think Warfel has a “new school mentality” where both management and employees encourage a diverse way of thinking that contributes to a more productive work environment.
• BF: I think ‘old school’ thinking happens all the time. I don’t think it’s a challenge, I think it should be a welcome perspective. The ‘old school’ experience can enhance new thoughts.
• AS: Yes, the industry still has people with the mentality of “this is how we’ve always done it” and resistance to change. I work to overcome this by presenting details of alternative ways to do the work and providing examples and instructions, to make it easier for the person to try the new method.
• SS: Rarely, but it happened. Not as much anymore, but from time to time, you get the message loud and clear…’Girls don’t know construction’. You just must be graceful and change their opinion of that.

WC: What is your current job title, and can you provide a brief description of your job responsibilities? 

• LC: Project Engineer for Resident Renovations and Facilities Management. I am part of the project management team which includes project procurement, scheduling, and making sure we maintain the schedule while financially staying within budget. Our team does a lot of quick-hitter projects, so our turnaround times are very fast-paced while juggling several jobs all at once.
• BD: Marketing Communications Coordinator; I primarily focus on digital marketing at Warfel. This includes social media, websites, blogs, email marketing, etc.
• BF: Office Coordinator: My position supports projects in preparing change orders, contracts, communications, etc; support estimating in the bid process in sending out bids, collecting required documentation for bids and RFQs; supporting Business Development in recording leads and potential projects; supporting HR in performing orientations and collecting required employment documentation; supporting marketing in assisting to put together RFQs; managing our office supplies, calendars, and meetings; supporting our VP and Director of Estimating; planning employee events, etc.
• AS: I’m currently our Senior Cost Manager. I assist our project teams with budget management on their projects – set-up of the estimate, change orders, billings, cost projections, and much more. I also focus on projects that require very detailed budget reporting such as PA RACP grants and GMP contract reporting.
• SS: Senior Project Director. My job is to work with preconstruction to set jobs up for success in the field. I help establish realistic general conditions, schedules, and subcontractor scopes for our larger projects. I help engage subcontractors for projects to ensure they understand how we execute construction and what our expectations are when the job is in progress. I work closely with the field teams to establish collaborative teams that understand the schedules, subcontractor scopes, project logistics and constraints, customer expectations, and our contractual responsibilities. I oversee the project teams when the project begins and throughout the entirety of the project to ensure that KPIs stay on track, the schedule is maintained, and that construction is being executed as Warfel promised way back in the preconstruction phase. It’s the ‘seamless transition’ we talk about between precon and construction. I feel very accountable for the ‘seamless’ part.

WC: What are some of the aspects of a construction career that give you the most satisfaction?

• LC: Just seeing a project from start to finish is rewarding or having a challenging project and making it to the finishing line, successfully.
• BD: I would say the teamwork, camaraderie, and seeing our projects come to life. One of the most rewarding aspects of construction is the tangible progress. Watching a project from start to finish, you feel a sense of accomplishment, especially when the project gets turned over to the client and seeing how it’s going to benefit the community.
• BF: Just knowing that I am supporting those people who are putting shovels in the dirt and watching the process of the building come together and seeing the final product. I can say the company I work for did that!
• AS: I love that every project, and every day for that matter, is different. Even if you have done a process before, it is going to be slightly different on the next project. I like problem-solving and in construction, each project is like a new puzzle to solve. Building great relationships and being able to mentor those following behind me in the industry also gives me great satisfaction. I want to address things that have been a challenge for me and make those items easier for the next person to experience.
• SS: Knowing that I helped set the project and team up for success by selecting the right subcontractors, but most of all, hearing a customer say that ‘this is the way it’s supposed to work’. That is awesome!

WC: For other women considering a construction career, what are some thoughts or advice you would share?

• LC: You are one of many, do it! You can do anything you put your mind to with so many growth levels and career options, it doesn’t mean you have to be out on the field.
• BD: Have an open and curious mind, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and develop confidence.
• BF: Don’t be intimidated by this being a ‘man’s world’. It is no longer just a man’s world, women are making headway in this industry and you can too.
• AS: For females interested in the industry, I encourage them to be very open-minded. As they start in construction, they will gain respect by showing that they’re not afraid to work (and getting their hands dirty if they get a chance), asking lots of questions, and treating everyone fairly.
• SS: If you liked playing with blocks, Lincoln logs, or erector sets when you were a kid, you’d probably like construction. Don’t be afraid to barge into a predominantly man’s world. Women are very organized and detail-oriented and in construction, that is a huge asset. If you get into construction, learn thoroughly, get good at each task you are assigned, and don’t be one bit shy about wanting to get ahead. People in construction don’t care about your gender. They (i.e. owners, reps, subs) care about people who know how to do their job because THAT is what makes THEM successful.

WC: How can the construction industry draw more women into positions at all levels?

• LC: Just educating other women on what all there is to offer. Automatically, when someone hears construction, you instantly think of the field or building a building.
• BD: There should be more focus put on recruitment efforts that are targeted toward women specifically. If I hadn’t come across my position on the internet, I would have never considered the construction industry as a career path. I think there is a lack of knowledge about the opportunities for women in construction. More role models, recruitment efforts starting with students in high school through college, and networking could support this initiative.
• BF: Give women encouragement and training, and provide industry role models who want to see other women succeed in this field.
• AS: The industry can continue to improve and be a welcome place for women if all women are offered the same opportunities as their male counterparts, are offered flexibility, and are sponsored by higher-level leaders who see and act on the individual’s potential.
• SS: We need to visit high school votechs, trade schools, and freshmen women in college and show them/tell them that construction is a field that needs them and wants them. Tough women love challenges, and the construction industry needs tough women.

About Warfel Construction Company

Established in 1911, Warfel Construction Company provides general construction and construction management services to clients throughout Pennsylvania, Virginia, and surrounding states. Learn more About Us.