ESTIMATOR

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?

I have been working as an estimator at Clark Builders for the past two years after graduating the CET program. A typical day to day as an estimator is assisting and setting up new tenders that come in. This includes emails/calls between subcontractors for quotes and other unit pricing, discussions with consultants and owners on projects, completing takeoffs, setting up and adjusting the estimate book for a project and evaluating quote awards on tenders. One thing that is overlooked as an estimator is how social it can be and how this can really help you out in the industry by allowing yourself to stay connected.

Did you always know that working in construction was what you wanted to do? How did you decide to go into your current career?

I did not know that construction was the path for me until I was working as an

Accounts Payable in a smaller electrical company. In this company I was exposed to several roles in construction including both Estimating and Project Management. After this exposure, I applied for the CET program after just getting out of my finance diploma. I also began working as a labourer for more experience in the f ield over the summers while I was in school. I would highly recommend getting field experience to see and experience the construction process firsthand. This can be beneficial to allow you to visualise and construct what is on a set of prints. I would also say keep an open mind when deciding what role you want to excel in and try to get exposure in different positions to allow for a deeper understanding of each role in the industry.

I don’t think it’s any secret that many women in the construction industry have felt their gender has affected the way that they are perceived or treated. Have you ever been in a situation like that? How did you handle it? The industry has come a very long way and I am happy to see the progression everyday, I have had nothing but positive experiences with Clark Builders. . In small er companies at the beginning of my career, I was exposed to a few situations where I feel my gender played a role in my circumstances. The best advice I can give to anyone who has felt this is to find someone you are comfortable and able to discuss about the situation. This can not only help by allowing you to talk about what you are going through but also to obtain other perspectives which can lead to a proper solution to help everyone move forward from whatever the situation was. This is usually the best-case scenario, but I know it can be a challenge as some situations are unique a nd there may not be a quick and easy answer. I would also advise reaching out to any women in the construction industry support groups or even initiating your own within an organization, association, or institute to help keep connected and learn from others. Since being out of school I have been a part of many events and seminars, many from the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA), including a WomenBuild as an example. There are also other groups including the Women Building Futures and Women in Trades and Technology. Events and seminars are a great way to learn from so many individuals who would be happy to help and share what they have learned over the years.

What do you think is the best part of being a woman in the construction industry?

I think the best part about being a woman in the construction ind ustry is being able to bring a new perspective. I did not have much prior construction experience, which can be intimidating being in a room full of experienced industry members. But I have found that there is a comfort in using the same process and sometimes there may be a different way to go about a process that may have gotten overlooked. So being able to come in with a fresh set of eyes and present solutions to the team has been beneficial to continually progress.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the tech industry? What do you wish you had known?

Keep pushing, and do not be afraid to ask questions if you have them. It is the best way to learn even though you may feel like they are silly questions, it is still better to clarify any concerns or issues early on. It is also important to absorb all knowledge like a sponge. This is an industry where no matter how long you have been in it you will continue to learn and witness new things such as processes and products. If you are driven and can learn to understand and accept information presented to you to make the best decision, it will continue to help you exceed in the construction industry.