Many women enter the field of construction because
their husbands, fathers, brothers or uncles work in construction
and they encourage their wives, daughters, sisters and nieces
to come into the field with them. Other women start out working
in a construction office processing paperwork and then advance
into the field and up the career ladder. Still others like the
idea of working outdoors, using their hands to build houses, commercial
buildings, bridges and highways, supervising projects and providing
a good income for their families.
Women are hired to work in the trades as carpenters,
electricians, plumbers, welders and heavy equipment operators.
They can be found working in an office as architects, engineers,
CAD drafters and interior designers or on-site in a construction
trailer as estimators, project managers and project superintendants.
Some women work on surveying crews; others work as building inspectors
and plans examiners for municipalities. The possibilities are
unlimited.
There are several ways to learn the construction
business. On-the-job training and apprenticeship programs are
the traditional route to trades jobs. College programs and courses
in construction management, drafting, estimating, surveying, civil
engineering, welding, and mathematics prepare women for both office
and field positions. Some women continue their educations at the
university level to move into construction management and ownership
positions. Networking with women's leadership groups helps in
moving up the ladder.
The pay and benefits in the construction industry
are some of the best in business and industry. Pay is based on
knowledge, skill and experience. Additional coursework and degrees
from higher educational institutions paves the way to promotions
within the industry. And there are more jobs than employees available
to fill the many positions in construction. Whether your ambition
is to work in an office or in the field, furthering your education
is a vital step in getting ahead and staying ahead.
Does this look like something you are interested
in learning and doing? Then consider enrolling in a course at
Phoenix College. The Department of Industrial
Technology at Phoenix College offers certificates and associate
degrees in Architectural Drafting, Computer Aided Drafting, Building
Safety and Construction Technology, and Civil Engineering Technology,
Construction Management and Welding.
A transfer partnership degree with the Arizona
State University Del E. Webb School of Construction has been
approved and is now available for those desiring a B.S. degree
in Construction. Students complete the first two years of the
B.S. degree at Phoenix College and then transfer to ASU as juniors
to complete the degree. Starting wages average $42,000 per year.
Phoenix College, in conjunction with the College of Architecture
at ASU, also has a transfer
partnership degree in Housing and Urban Development. The bachelor
degree in HUD prepares students for careers in urban planning,
redevelopment and revitalization, master planning and more.
The opportunities are here now for women in construction.
Now is the time to start your education and prepare for a new
career. Won't you seriously consider a career in construction?
Check us out! For more information contact
one of the following people listed below.
