From Hard Hat to Heels: Navigating the Construction World as a Woman
By Michelle Duncum, Vice President of Operations CORY EXECUTIVE RECRUITING
My transition from property management to development was not a leap into the unknown but a calculated stride forward. With a clear vision in mind, I aimed to blend my understanding of apartment market demands with a genuine passion for building. However, I quickly realized that the construction world came with its own set of unwritten rules, especially for a woman.
On my first day in this new role, I found myself in a makeshift construction trailer. The lingering scent of stale coffee mixed with the fresh aroma of the dirt outside. If you’ve been there, you know the smell. Around a plastic table, six men were engrossed in their plans for an upcoming apartment complex. As I settled into my seat, ready to discuss the layout of a clubroom and office, the room's energy shifted palpably. My presence, it seemed, was unexpected.
As days turned into years, the initial undercurrents of skepticism I felt evolved into overt and consistent challenges. The more significant my role and the larger the project, the more pronounced these challenges became. Phrases like "Who is this girl with the long hair and heels?" or "I’ve been in construction for 40 years..." became all too familiar. Every suggestion I’d share required extra justification; every observation needed added layers of explanation…it was the norm and not the exception.
There were instances when I'd step onto a site, only to be mistaken for an outsider. My appearance, contrasting starkly with the dirt and debris, often led to labels like "too picky" or derogatory terms uttered both covertly and not so covertly in multiple languages. It felt as though my gender magnified every critique, making them personal rather than professional.
While I always sensed the underlying reasons for these challenges, I chose never to acknowledge it as reality. Always head down, working hard, no deviations or excuses to not just get it done right, and get it done right now! However, now, as I reflect on that part of my career from a vantage point outside the active day to day construction world, the view is clearer.
Despite these challenges, my journey is punctuated with many incredible moments of triumph. I am fortunate to have encountered brilliant and notable mentors and leaders who helped shape both my professional and personal life along with my knowledge and skillset.
Today, as I navigate personal investment ventures, echoes of the past resurface. A recent investment in a new construction house brought back familiar feelings. Noticing discrepancies like door jambs out of square and poorly installed cabinets, I voiced my concerns. Yet, without the armor of a professional title, my observations were dismissed, much like in the early days. It makes me wonder… was the long hair and heels still what overshadowed my value as a buyer, with my knowledge now hidden and unknown? Or maybe it was just the old standard of, "Eh, close enough!" Those that know, know…construction can be an interpretive art at times!! But I digress.
For all the women in construction, my message is clear: Stay resilient. Our path is strewn with challenges, some unintentionally rooted in biases that still exist in today's world. But always remember, when you face resistance, it's a reflection of others' insecurities, not your capabilities.
Looking at my career, I see a journey marked by resilience, determination and relentless hard work that others don’t always understand. It underscores the importance of mentorship, celebrating our successes, and the need for the industry to continue to evolve in its interactions.
Ladies, your strength, expertise, and resilience enrich the industry. Wear your hard hat with pride and your heels with confidence. You are not alone. The construction and development world is better with you in it.
“Ladies, here’s my top tip: Opt for a black wardrobe. It’s the quickest fix for site dirt, getting you boardroom-ready in under 10 minutes. And never underestimate a trunk of shoes and a dashboard stash of ponytail holders – that’s how we hold it all together!”