career exploration & workforce development ... FOR GIRLS!
Kathryn knew that she wanted a career in the AEC industry but was certain that she didn’t want to be an architect or an engineer. She wasn’t sure exactly how she would fit into the construction industry but now that she is there, she says there is no place that she would rather be.
After high school graduation she spent two years at community college before transferring to Virginia Tech where she pursued two separate degrees (dual degrees as opposed to double major) in Psychology and Building Construction. While she was in school, she interned at two companies. One was a mid-size General Contractor and the other was a large nationally known GC. She's since held a variety of different roles from Project Engineer to Assistant Superintendent to Superintendent to Project Manager to Business Development Manager. In 2020 she started Space to Build, an online community dedicated to the ambitious women in construction, who are ready to build a strong foundation to their adult life. Two years later it’s now her full-time gig and her role as a Business Development Manager is part of it.
When asked if she has ever felt out of place in the construction industry because she is a woman, she says that it happens all too often. When she was in college her Intro to Building Construction class had 100 students; she was one of only six women. Of those six women most became the founding members of BWIC, Building Women in Construction, a student run organization within the Myers-Lawson School of Construction. With the help of their advisors and professors, they were able to find their place in an industry that’s heavily populated by men.
Kathryn says that there are quite a few people that she credits with helping her get to where she is today including Kimberlee Driggs at D2, Romina Byrd at Miller and Long and Jeff McCoy at Carmel Partners. She also has the unwavering support of her husband, AJ. They met at work a few years back and he’s been an amazing resource for her when she needs guidance or an honest opinion. She can always count on him to answer her midday calls for help when an issue arises on the jobsite.
If she could go back in time and give her 18-year-old self some advice, Kathryn says that advice would be to not lose sight that at the end of the day, it is YOUR career path, and you are your own boss! If something doesn’t align with your goals, evaluate it and if you must move on, then move on! She also wants to emphasize the importance of building your network. She has gained so many amazing connections and knows the value of having a circle of supporters who will cheer you on through the good times and lift you up through the hard times. There’s nothing like being surrounded by a community who pushes you to be your absolute best self! That is what she hopes to do for other women. She hopes to help them amplify their voice and learn how to pull out their own chair at the table!
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.