Last month, Nataline Lomedico, CEO and president of Giroux Glass Inc., was one of seven panelists at the 2018 Associated General Contractors (AGC) Annual Conference in Lake Tahoe. The panel discussed diversity and inclusion and its importance in the construction industry. When people hear the word diversity, a few concepts that immediately come to mind are race and gender, but what about age?
After leaving the conference, Nataline considered that the current construction workforce reflects a disproportionate number of younger people, as well as the other more often-cited issues. “For every three baby boomers retiring from the construction industry, only one young person enters,” explained Nataline. So how do we fix the age gap and help young people get hired? Nataline provided six recommendations for success to younger generations intent on entering the industry.
1. Network
While attending the AGC conference, one thing that Nataline noticed was the (self-imposed) physical separation of students. Students huddled together and mingled among themselves, instead of seeking out company representatives. A critical part of success in the construction industry relies on building and maintaining relationships, and making strong connections. There are many useful networking organizations within the industry to help make and strengthen those connections. Groups such as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) and AGC are designed to bring together people in the industry.
2. Explore Different Trades and Companies
The construction industry is comprised of various trades and sectors. Explore all the ones that interest you, and do your research. According to the California State License Board, (CSLB), California alone has 289,710 active contractor licenses. These licenses are registered under different classifications of the CSLB licensing system. These classifications include such areas of expertise as general engineering, general building, and specialty contractors. With so many options, the opportunities are endless. Explore those which interest you, and check them out.
3. Don’t Wait Until You Are “Ready” to Ask for Challenges
If you are already at a company and hope to advance, don’t wait until you’re “ready” to ask for greater challenges. The best way to learn is by jumping right in and learning from hands-on experience. The same goes for any opportunity. You can never be over prepared– there is something new to learn and something you can improve on. With that being said, you can’t wait until you gather all the knowledge there is. Learning is infinite. If you wait until “the right moment” you will never make that move.
4. Never Stop Learning
As stated in the last point, learning is infinite. There are always new things to learn and explore. With technology constantly evolving, there is always a new system to master, or tool to learn. According to Fortune.com, since 2013, construction technology received more than $18 billion in cumulative investment. Until more recent years, the construction industry has been behind in the world of technology, and it’s wonderful to see that we are finally catching up.
5. Seek Internships
Internships are one of the best ways to gain experience and learn – beyond the classroom- about how the industry works. A relevant job will make you more competitive in the job market, as well as help you build and develop your professional network. Working for a company can also let you know if you really do want to pursue a career in the area you thought you did, or if you may want to consider an alternate path. If you just graduated, or are still in school, having relevant internship experience will help your resume stand out. Internships can also show employers that you are capable of performing the duties associated with a future job, especially when previous employers provide you positive recommendations on sites like LinkedIn, for example. Typically, Giroux Glass employs interns every year, in the summer and part-time during the school year, and some of our interns were hired as full-time employees after graduation.
6. Find a Mentor
Don’t be afraid to talk to people who are where you want to be. You’ll be surprised at the positive reaction you’ll likely receive. You can’t take on the world on your own. Having the advice and guidance of someone who has been in your position, and who can guide you, can make a big difference in your career.
When asked about her own personal mentorship experience, Nataline expressed, “Mentorship has had a tremendous impact on my career. I am convinced that I would not be in the construction industry if it were not for one particular great mentor who believed in me more than I believed in myself, when I was 23 years old. His name was David Morales. He helped me develop my strengths, face my fears by encouraging me to be courageous, and gave me the tools to work on my weaknesses.”
Here, at Giroux Glass, we encourage and implement these six keys by offering education reimbursements, the opportunity to shadow seasoned employees, invitations to attend management meetings and cross training. We also help our employee set personal and business goals. “I strive to impact others the way I have been impacted. The most meaningful compliment I receive from others is that I inspire them,” says Nataline. “Life is short, and money comes and goes. Inspiring others to be their very best is free and lasts a lifetime. When I’m long gone, I hope that I will have left behind inspiration that drives others to be much better than I ever was.”
