career exploration & workforce development ... FOR GIRLS!
After graduating high school Nilva joined the U.S. Air Force. She wasn’t sure what she wanted for a career and felt that the Air Force would give her a stability and a decent paycheck. It turns out that in addition to providing her with stability and a paycheck, it also taught her discipline, leadership skills and work ethic. Although the military taught her some valuable skills, she went through a situation that made her question if it was truly the place that she was meant to be. Ultimately, she decided that she wasn’t going to reenlist.
After she left the Air Force she moved to Orlando, Florida and enrolled in college. She graduated with a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, a degree that she admits she never ended up using. She met a builder that offered her a job flipping houses and while she had no experience in construction the offer sounded interesting; she’s been in the construction industry ever since.
When asked if she has ever felt out of place being a woman in a male-dominated career, she said that she feels most women in construction are seen as not being smart enough much less strong enough to make it in the industry. She does admit that she had to learn really quick that she had to be tough to be in this industry and that it takes hard work and determination to be successful. Thankfully, she had no shortage of those qualities and has built a very successful business by the sweat of her brow.
Nilva says that if she could go back in time and give her 18-year-old self some advice she says she would tell her to believe in herself and embrace failures because adversity is what makes you stronger. She feels that most women are afraid to fail so they play it safe. She would tell younger Nilva to take risks and don't to be afraid to try new things.
Nilva wishes she would have had a mentor to help guide her when she started her career in construction. She knows the importance of having someone encourage you and she hopes to be able to encourage the next generation of Women in Construction!
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