Building a Career in Construction
Hard-hat wearing, safety glasses donning
So there I was, a hard hat wearing, safety glasses donning, steel toe boot standing new hire for Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC). Why in the world would I leave my job to start a new adventure amidst a global pandemic? People have asked me that very question several times over the past seven months. Let me tell you why.
(Left to right) Megan Ross, Eric Van Why, Matt DeAngelis, and Tyler Merrill
In a career, there are so many forces in play that you can’t control – recessions, pandemics, industry growth, competition, judgements, bias…you get the picture. There are certain factors you can control, such as work ethic, attitude, and reliability. However, the one factor I had severely undervalued was building a professional network. Over the years, I had unknowingly connected with hundreds of people on a deeper level: training for Dale Carnegie connected me with professionals across the region in varying industries, coaching my kids’ soccer team connected me with other parents in my community, and volunteering with charitable organizations connected me with other like-minded human beings. With each interaction, I was building a personal and professional network. Which is how I landed at Coakley & Williams Construction.
Respect & understanding
The St. Elizabeths East Campus Shelter construction project team from left to right: Tyler Merrill, Bill Simons, Carl Skooglund (Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners), Bruce Rosenthal, Derek Fleming (Blue Skye Construction), Barb Price, and Naaji Drayton (Blue Skye Construction)
Years ago, I had met several of the senior leaders at CWC. We had served together on professional committees and service project teams. The level of respect and understanding of their true characters came through far before any job offer was even thought of. When I was asked to join the team, it was a no brainer. Before day one at the new job, I already had colleagues who could vouch for the type of person I was and where my talents could be best used to grow the organization. Having these internal advocates instantly connected me throughout the industry and with our clients.
Brick by brick
Building a valuable network is accomplished one interaction at a time, line by line, brick by brick. Phone calls to chat, texts to congratulate anniversaries, emails to just say hello, answering phone calls when colleagues ring, serving in your community, building relationships - these are the foundations for a reliable network. Why did I start a new job during a global pandemic? I have built relationships of trust that outlast whatever challenges come my way. Those personal interactions bring opportunities and joy into my life far more than I could have ever imagined.