It isn't always easy
A 41-Year Journey in Heavy Civil Construction: Breaking Barriers and Building Success as a Woman in a Male-Dominated Field
Where do I start? I have been in road construction (heavy civil) for the last 41 years. Over that time, I’ve worked as a temporary employee, been part of a design unit, served as a tester and inspector, and eventually became a construction project manager. There are so many things I’ve learned and stories I could tell. It has been an amazing journey.
It all began in 1985 when I started with the Colorado Department of Highways (now the Colorado Department of Transportation). My father told me I needed a summer job to help pay for college. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I quickly fell in love with the work. No two days were ever the same. I worked four summers as a temporary employee while attending college. Back then, we did all of our own surveying for projects—both preliminary and construction. I learned a tremendous amount during those years.
I also learned how to navigate being a woman in a man’s world—and it truly was back then. I was the only woman in the office besides the administrative staff, out of 24 people. I quickly realized that knowing a little about three topics—hunting, fishing, and sports—could carry a conversation. If you could speak about those subjects, you could connect and be accepted into the group. I had to learn how to fit in. To this day, I still get along well with the men I work with and enjoy those working relationships. That said, I’ve also learned to be mindful and check my ego at the door when needed.
I later worked for the City of Loveland for a summer, where I ended up running their overlay program. The person I was working under became ill and was out for six weeks. That summer taught me a lot. I learned how to build a project, how to plan ahead, and how to anticipate each phase of construction. I also learned how contractors can take advantage of inexperience—not necessarily intentionally, but because they understand the system better. Like anyone, they operate within what they know they can get away with.
I graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a BA in Anthropology. College was not easy for me—high school came naturally, but college was a different story. I enjoyed the independence, perhaps a little too much. At one point, I failed out. Part of it was distraction, but I also struggled with test anxiety. With the help of a friend, I found support, and my grades quickly improved from D’s and F’s to B’s and C’s. It was a lot to overcome, but I found a way to push through and graduate in four and a half years.
In December 1989, I was hired full-time by the Colorado Department of Transportation in Denver, starting in design and preconstruction. Once again, I was the only woman in the unit—and often the one expected to answer phones and handle filing. This was also when computers were just starting to be introduced. I learned how to draft by hand and experienced firsthand how frustrating design work could be. Project scopes, specifications, and details were constantly changing, often circling back to the original plan. It made the process challenging, especially when you had to redo drawings repeatedly. Today, computers have made those changes much easier to manage.
After a year and a half, I transferred to Greeley, Colorado, and returned to construction. This move came after I got married and needed to be closer to Fort Collins for my husband’s work. I was happy to be back in the field, where decisions are made and progress continues forward. In construction, things rarely stand still. Decisions don’t often get reversed—you move ahead, whether it’s the right direction or not. No two days are ever the same, and even the best plans can change quickly.
I do tend to prefer working with men. In my experience, there is often less drama, and conflicts tend to get resolved quickly so everyone can move forward. The challenge, however, is that you often have to prove your knowledge and capability. I’ve had to earn respect repeatedly over the years. It took time to be fully accepted, but once I demonstrated that I could work alongside them and handle the demands of the job, things improved. Even now, I still find myself proving my abilities at times, though much less than before. My reputation has become one of my greatest assets, and I work hard to maintain it.
There are a few pieces of advice I would share. Always be willing to learn—whether through classes, reading specifications, hands-on experience, or simply listening. You don’t always need to speak in every meeting; sometimes the most valuable insights come from paying attention and observing.
Be confident in what you’re doing. You don’t need to know everything in the moment, but you do need to believe in yourself.
Enjoy the journey. Take time to learn as you grow. Leadership isn’t easy, and understanding each level of work gives you the perspective needed to support others when you step into those roles.
Not everyone is meant to be a supervisor, and that’s okay. Someone can be an excellent leader without holding a formal title. Too often, people move into leadership roles for financial reasons, even when it’s not the right fit. Organizations should find ways to reward people who excel in their roles without requiring them to become supervisors.
I’ve always believed in the idea of leading yourself first—and it’s true. If you believe in your abilities and stay patient, progress will come.
You can do anything in this world. It won’t always be easy, and it will require effort and resilience. But the rewards are worth it when you commit to the work.
