A Journey Into Construction : Megan’s Story

It’s International Women’s Day, 2024.

A day to shine a light on the achievements of women everywhere, but also to highlight the challenges that they still, sadly, face to this day.

One of the key weapons in fighting inequality for women, especially in construction, is to highlight the opportunities that are available.

Construction is a male-dominated industry, and this needs to change.

We sat down with Marketing & Sales Assistant Megan, to discuss her thoughts as a young woman starting her career in construction.

Discussing the positives, the challenges and ultimately, her impressions of our industry.

Starting Out

Joining Thorpes Joinery was nerve-wracking for several reasons, and not just because of the industry! This was my first full-time job after leaving education, and so naturally I was nervous.

I had decided against the university route as I was eager to get on and learn on the job in an industry that offered plenty of progression - something that I had been assured construction did. Marketing especially is something that has always interested me, and despite a lack of experience I was keen to jump straight into something.

I think starting out anywhere for the first time can make you apprehensive, but there were also connotations attached to the construction industry that were not entirely positive, especially for a young woman.

Challenges

Construction as a whole is so much bigger than you’d ever realise, and it’s one of those thing where the scale of it only becomes obvious when you are actually in it! Learning how all the different trades, roles, materials, designs etc all come together is no small task, especially for a complete newcomer! Fortunately, I work in a company where everyone is happy to give up their time to share their expertise and guide me on the right track!

Marketing is a bit unique I think, in that you have to be well aware of what every single part of the company does, only to a certain level of course, I am not expected to be able to build joinery or put together a 3D model, but gaining that understanding takes time, patience and perseverance.

It is also a male-dominated industry, and I was initially nervous about joining a company in an industry with a reputation for this, especially as my role involves interacting with everyone from the company.

What I have learned..

Fortunately, I work with a group of strong and inspiring women, each who demonstrate in their own way the different forms that success can take. From talking and learning from them, and my male colleagues, it is clear to me that society’s thoughts about women’s equality have witnessed change and I don’t feel that I have been treated negatively because of my gender. That is not to say that it doesn’t exist and our industry can clearly still do more, but I am in agreement that things are moving in the right direction.

I would encourage women everywhere to look at construction as a viable career option. It offers progression, development, experiences and is incredibly social, and what we make is something to be proud of too.