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Nationally, women make up only 11% of the construction industry, a painfully low percentage given how essential this field is to the clean energy transition. To achieve the just and equitable electric future we know is possible, we need to increase the number of women entering the industry – and part of that involves celebrating Women in Construction Week annually every March.
We asked just a few of the incredible women working for ReVision Energy to shed some light on the construction industry – how they got into it and what advice they’d give to women considering it.
Meet Steph, Hannah, Diana, Lamara, and Rachel – all ReVision Energy co-owners and critical to the construction field.
What Advice Would You Give to Women Considering a Construction Career?
“Try it out before you discredit anything! If you want to be in the field, explore trade school or in-house apprenticeship opportunities like at ReVision. It can be easy to listen to other’s (often stereotypical) assumptions of male-dominated industries like construction. But you truly don’t know if it’s for you until you try it, regardless of gender. I’ve worked in a couple of different male-dominated industries and have always found that people just want to know they can trust and rely on their team. If you show up with work ethic and contribute, you will be welcomed in any industry.”
—Steph Walsh, Operations Coordinator, North Andover
“Advice I wish I had when I first started would be – don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is a big industry, and it is okay if you don’t understand or need clarity. Curiosity is a strength and not a weakness. It is important to be able to come to the table, ask good questions, and stay curious. This is where learning happens. I have also come to learn that leadership doesn’t have to be loud and strong; there is a place for kind and patient leadership.”
—Hannah Haskell, Facilities Manager, Montville
“My advice to women entering the trades is to go for it! Don’t worry about what others think – as long as you’re doing what you love, nothing else matters. The world is changing and a lot of men and customers in this field are realizing that women are just as good and sometimes better depending on the situation.”
—Diana Przechocki, Solar Advisor, Westfield
“Be ready to be assertive, bold, and a little aggressive. If you are unable or unwilling to have these characteristics, this may not be the right field for you. Working with other contractors or inspectors, you must be willing to stand firm. ReVision isn’t this way but I have worked for other construction companies with men who will talk down and make you feel little because you are a woman in “their” field. Be strong-willed, we are the minority in this field!”
—Rachel Bruso, Residential Project Developer, Westfield
“I would say let the work guide you, and trust yourself. If you know what you want to learn and achieve through your work, and you’re focused on contributing to that, you can take yourself where you want to go.”
—Lamara D’Arbeloff, Facilities Manager, North Andover
“The other thing to consider is if the field work doesn’t interest you, or isn’t a good fit, there are MANY in-house roles that are equally important to successful construction. Development, operations, warehouse & procurement, apprenticeship mentoring, administrative management, the list goes on and on. Construction doesn’t exist in a vacuum on the job site; it takes many hands and brains to bring a project start to finish, and there are countless opportunities to contribute to this industry once you find the best fit for yourself.” —Steph Walsh
“I wish I had known earlier how many opportunities are actually available for women in construction and in the energy sector. You may have to look, but there is community to be found. ReVision Energy has co-owner resource groups that have done just this. One of them is a safe space designed for co-owners who identify as women or nonbinary to learn, connect, and find ways to support each other in the workplace and industry.” —Hannah Haskell
How Did You Get Into Construction?
“I was a TA in college, and the professor I worked with included me on large projects he was working on with the Campus Master Planner, our Building and Grounds Committee, and other development projects on campus. Our contribution was to view these projects through a lens of biophilia – the goal being to create the strongest organic connection between the space and humans in it. So, I was introduced pretty early on to the concept that science can be positively linked to building things that make life better for all.” —Lamara D’Arbeloff
“I’ve always been a hands-on type of person. I was always good at puzzles as a kid and I like to make things from scratch as a hobby. I get excited to start projects and the feeling of accomplishment after project is completed is amazing!” —Diana Przechocki
“I simply find construction, engineering, and the act of building fascinating. Before ReVision, I had just a superficial understanding of house construction or features, and it’s been so fun learning the trade in my time as Operations Coordinator. My role, put simply, is to understand each step of the (solar) construction development process so that I can help facilitate ultimate efficiency in our business. In another life, I likely would have been on the field side of the trades (wannabe electrician here), but ensuring our team has what they need to succeed in construction is also very rewarding.” —Steph Walsh
