At Marco we are proud of our commitment to diversity and our ability to give women an opportunity to thrive in the construction industry. In honour of International Women’s Day, we asked some of the women on our team to speak about their careers, their time at Marco and what advice they would offer women contemplating a career in construction.
How has Marco helped you advance your career ?
“Marco saw my potential, listened to what I wanted to achieve in my career and provided me an opportunity that would challenge me so I could further advance my skills.”
Caroline O’Leary, Risk Manager, St. John’s, NL
“The culture at this company has been very supportive of my growth and development. I’ve felt comfortable speaking up and sharing my ideas, and I’ve received constructive feedback that has helped me improve. Overall, I feel like I’ve been able to build a strong network here and gain a lot of valuable experience that will serve me well throughout my career.”
Emelie Kavli, OHS Advisor, Corner Brook, NL
“Marco has allowed me to be a part of large-scale construction projects in and around Halifax and spend time on sites, so I can get a comprehensive understanding of the full-scale construction process. They have also aided me by supporting my desire to continue my education in industry related processes. This support has helped me complete training such as the LEAN construction course, that will help me advance my career.”
Martina Taylor, Project Coordinator, Halifax, NS
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not learning. Do not be afraid to be uncomfortable.”
Caroline O’Leary, Risk Manager, St. John’s, NL
“Always be willing to learn and grow. This has helped me stay open-minded and curious, which in turn has helped me develop my skills and take on new challenges. I try to approach each day with a growth mindset and look for opportunities to improve myself and the work I do.”
Emelie Kavli, OHS Advisor, Corner Brook, NL
“Take every challenge and situation as a learning opportunity. Whether it be positive or negative, you can always learn something from any situation and from each person that you encounter.”
Martina Taylor, Project Coordinator, Halifax, NS
“Push until the other side gets tired. It’s a good motto to have when dealing with hard, complicated, frustrating aspects of projects.”
Raylene Pittman, Commissioning Lead, St. John’s, NL
What’s the best part of your job?
“The best part of my job is working as a team to solve problems. The construction industry is a team sport, combining various players who bring different skills to the table regardless of their gender, culture or experience. Each person has something valuable to contribute and it’s very rewarding to see a problem solved as a result of those contributions by team members, including yourself.”
Caroline O’Leary, Risk Manager, St. John’s, NL
“One of the most rewarding aspects of being a safety advisor is the ability to make a positive impact on the health, safety and well-being of employees. Building relationships with colleagues and other professionals in the field can also be very fulfilling.”
Emelie Kavli, OHS Advisor, Corner Brook, NL
“The best part of my job is the complex projects I have been a part of – I enjoy the problem-solving that large projects entail. This can also be the most frustrating part of my job, depending on the issue or situation. However, we eventually always find a solution and there’s a lot of satisfaction in getting the job done and finishing a project with a satisfied client.”
Raylene Pittman, Commissioning Lead, St. John’s, NL
What are the advantages of being a woman in construction?
“At the end of the day, I believe your gender doesn’t provide any advantage or disadvantage to working in the construction industry. It is important for companies to have a well balanced team that consists of both women and men, who are driven to work and build upon their professional & technical skills.”
Caroline O’Leary, Risk Manager, St. John’s, NL
“Women bring a different perspective and unique skills to the construction industry. They can offer fresh ideas and innovative solutions that others may not have been considered before. Additionally, women can excel in communication, collaboration and relationship-building, which can be critical in team-orientated industry like construction.”
Emelie Kavli, OHS Advisor, Corner Brook, NL
“I think it’s important to have diverse points of view in every industry. In the construction world, where problem solving and teamwork are key elements of project success, women bring a practical, collaborative approach that contribute to project success. The women I have worked with have been focused on getting the job done properly and without conflict, which improves any work environment.”
Martina Taylor, Project Coordinator, Halifax, NS
What piece of advice would you give women entering a career in the construction industry?
“Don’t think about your gender when entering a career in the construction industry. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman. If you enjoy taking a design from paper to real life, working on projects that serves the public in a positive way and problem solving through the design and build process, you will enjoy the construction industry. Your technical skills, interpersonal skills and work experience will carry you through regardless of if you are a man or a woman.”
Caroline O’Leary, Risk Manager, St. John’s, NL
“Focus on developing your skills, building a strong network and being assertive and confident. It’s also important to advocate for yourself and your career. Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities and be proactive when it comes to seeing out feedback and constructive criticism that will help you grow and develop in your role.“
Emelie Kavli, OHS Advisor, Corner Brook, NL
“Be confident in your knowledge and skillset, even though they may be different from other people in the industry. Hard work goes a long way in terms of career advancement.”
Martina Taylor, Project Coordinator, Halifax, NS
“If you want to work in construction, go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something based solely on your gender.”
Raylene Pittman, Commissioning Lead, St. John’s, NL
