Her Story
About Jasmine
I started my career doing HR management with a cruise line, but someone from GPAC reached out and recruited me to do something I had absolutely never done - they brought me in as a recruiter for residential and commercial construction. It's not a very highlighted women industry, so I was nervous, but excited. I came in and honestly took off pretty well. I've closed some big accounts and I'm bringing a lot more light to women in construction. The beginning was honestly pretty difficult. I got a lot of no's, and I felt like it was because I was a woman - they look at me as, okay, she doesn't know, she's never been on a site, she has no idea what we're doing. But I persevered and got a name for myself. It just took that one yes. Now, especially within the Nebraska market, I'm very popular and I'm the go-to construction recruiter. We're national and in Canada now, but I really like being able to advocate and help women get those positions and have somebody that has their back. A lot of recruiters in the industry look out for the companies, the big players. I especially like to look out for the candidates, especially women, within this industry. I've been in my field for about 5 years now.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jasmine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my family truly shaped me professionally. I'm a mom of 8 boys, and I went from providing only for myself to having a family and a husband to take care of. My husband has lung cancer and unfortunately can't work, so me being able to step in and give it my all, it truly became that all or nothing. That mindset pushed me to keep going and pursue new opportunities. Seeing my husband go through what he's gone through and make it out has honestly put so much fire under my rear to know that anything is possible. If someone like that can get through something life-threatening, then this is easy. I can do this, and I can be that provider. I also had two very big mentors, Melissa Klaxium and Brittany Ungerwright, who honestly made all the difference. They brought me in with open arms and were very upfront about how difficult the industry is. They were the influential women who got me to where I am today, and I still talk to them every day and learn so much. They've got me to a point in my career where I'm confident, and I've got the backing of them to feel that way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The way it was put to me is, if someone told you that it was 100 no's until your first yes, that's what did it for me. That advice completely changed my perspective and helped me persevere through all the rejection I faced when I was starting out in construction recruiting. It taught me to never take no as an answer and to keep pushing forward no matter how many times I heard no.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Absolutely do it, and never take no as an answer. If someone told you that it was 100 no's until your first yes, that's exactly what I would say. Do it, and get through those hundred no's, because that one yes, it'll change your life. The beginning will be difficult and you'll get a lot of no's, but if you persevere and get a name for yourself, it just takes that one yes to make all the difference.
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