Today, our employees are among the 10 million people who work in the construction industry in the U.S. Though construction was hit hard by the pandemic, the industry is once again on a growth trajectory, expected to grow at a robust rate of 4.8% annually for the next decade – offering huge career opportunities in building and construction for a new generation.
Here, in their own words, a few HBW folks dish about getting into construction, their journey to HBW, the best parts of the job, and even advice they wish they had earlier in their careers.
This is no ordinary daily grind: Jobs in the construction industry
There are thousands of types of jobs in the construction industry. It takes a true team of professionals to meet the high expectations of clients in the Washington region. At HBW Construction, our team includes a broad range of construction expertise in Budgets & Estimating, Scheduling, Project Management, Job Site Management, Quality Control, and Services complemented by hundreds of talented subcontractors and quality suppliers.
“In my job, I review construction drawings, prepare scopes of work, and put together competitive bids. I came to HBW with no commercial experience, and they took a chance on hiring me in an estimator position. Seven years later, I’m so thankful to work alongside great teammates.” – Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
“I organize and oversee daily work at the construction site while making sure everyone is safe and on schedule.” – Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“My job is to support both project management and field staff in completing projects. I love helping others succeed.” – Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal
“My job is to bring our client’s vision to life – from the preconstruction process all the way through substantial completion and occupancy. Of course, it involves problem-solving, budgeting, schedule-keeping, and so much more. But when you boil it down the goal is to get everyone over the finish line to a beautiful new space.” – Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“I develop and train HBW’s field supervisors, which includes strategic planning around field operations, safety, and quality control. I love how each day brings a new challenge, which I try to see as another step forward in my development.” – Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer
Look what we did! Best part of the job
Construction is a dynamic industry that brings new challenges every day. With so many builds in our 54-year history, it can be difficult to choose a favorite project.
“The best part of the job is turning over a new, beautiful space to a happy and excited client.
Oak Wine & Barrel in Montgomery County was my favorite project so far because it required knowledge of many types of construction, from basic bar and refrigeration to retail and interior fit-out. It demanded very close attention to detail which resulted in some of the most gorgeous finishes I have ever worked with.” – Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“My favorite part of my job is undoubtedly the people. I am lucky enough to be able to make connections all throughout the DMV because of the work we do. I’ve made connections with architects, clients, inspectors, engineers, subcontractors, brokers… the list goes on. Being exposed to many different thought processes and problem-solving methods has taught me so much throughout the years.” – Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“It would be impossible to choose a favorite project, but I love seeing photos and videos of a completed project that I worked on; the transformation from a set of plans to a working space is incredible.” – Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
The path to construction
There are literally hundreds of construction career paths. Some start with apprenticeships, college, or a jump from an adjacent industry. Many HBW employees had no idea they would end up working in construction (and loving it!), but others were drawn to it from the beginning.
“Construction wasn’t the plan but my work in the industry gave me a new drive to learn and an outlet for my creativity and other skills. After 16 years in construction, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” – Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“I was a Political Science major, and I graduated during the 2016 election, making it tough to find work. I eventually ended up as the Office Manager for a family friend’s construction company and absolutely fell in love. No day was the same, and I finally got to use things I had learned from binge-watching HGTV. I couldn’t imagine myself working in any other industry at this point. – Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“I’ve been interested in construction since I wired up and powered my first light switch!” – Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer
“I started working in construction at the age of 18. I joined HBW as a Foreman and a year later was promoted to Superintendent. I hustled to get the most challenging and complex projects and was promoted to Project Engineer then Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Project Executive. Now I’m a Vice President.” – Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal
“Growing up, I was always building things, and in my senior year of high school, I decided to study Civil Engineering. The rest is history.” – Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
The real deal on HBW
A career in construction is about developing specific skills but also the ability to work with others and meet the needs of clients. HBW focuses on relationships, integrity, and initiative. Our team shares core values that have defined our culture.
“I was attracted to HBW’s eagerness to hire a female superintendent. I am still so impressed with the volume of talented females in construction here.” – Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“HBW supported my growth by allowing me to showcase my processes – even turning them into company standards. They listened to my goals and gave me the opportunity to work on bids while I was still in the field. That access allowed me to understand what was required to work in the office. At every point, HBW had faith in my abilities and gave me the opportunity to run large projects with major clients. This allowed me to once more show my ability to handle large accounts.” – Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal
“I liked what I saw in HBW, including the number of women in the office and the philanthropy we do around the area. Construction can be a hard and cold environment, and I knew I needed the opposite of that to work well.” – Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
Advice for the next generation
With so much growth potential in the construction industry, it is important to attract new talent and encourage the next generation. Our employees offer advice they wish they had known earlier in their careers.
“I would tell my younger self to keep your head down and work hard. Everything will work itself out in the end. Also, don’t take it personally when companies you apply to just out of college don’t even respond.” – Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“Start investing as soon as you can.” – Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
“Stay grounded and humble no matter the situation and to be confident in your abilities. I like a quote I heard once that says, “Construction is simple. We make it hard.” – Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been an increase in women joining the construction industry in both field and office roles since 2016. As of August 2022, 14 percent of construction workers nationwide were women. In fact, The Washington Post reported that the highest share of women in construction was here in Washington D.C. at 17.6 percent.
HBW strives to set the bar even higher – women now make up 26 percent of our workforce. We had our first female project manager in 2005 and our first female superintendent in 2019. This year we also announced our first female vice president. Did you know women manage more than $56 million in HBW projects across our business?
Economists suggest that the increase of women in construction is the result of a tighter labor market, more job opportunities, and a cultural shift that has made construction workplaces more welcoming for women.
Cultivating The Right Environment
Earlier this year, we wrote about the vision for HBW’s future and our commitment to creating opportunities, ongoing education, and continued career growth paths for all of our employees. Being deliberate about cultivating a supportive environment for personal success makes good business sense and is inclusive of everyone, including women.
Our managers lay the groundwork, helping employees set goals and envision their future. There isn’t one track that works for everyone — we look to individual employees’ talents and interests to guide their way — plus the initiative to work towards the next level. Our “growth from within” philosophy is foundational to HBW, and you’ll find many stories of employees who started in the trades or in entry-level positions and worked their way up. We have several women on staff who have grown their careers here for 10+ and even 20+ years.
The Importance of Women in Construction
Women bring a different perspective to construction, adding diversity to an industry where traditions often have a stronghold. We’ve observed that at HBW, women think differently, helping visualize multiple ways to get to the end result or improve upon a process. Women have played a critical role in cultivating relationships, helping to grow our client base and driving repeat business.
Importantly, we recognize that women moving up through the ranks inspires and motivates others. The diversity of our Executive Leadership team sends a strong message that we value talent – of any gender, ethnicity, or race.
About her Vice President title, Melissa Jones is thankful and thoughtful, “The validation and recognition means a lot to me. And it’s actually made me think a little bit differently about how I carry myself. I want to have a positive impact on those I work with and be the best mentor possible.”
Indeed, Melissa’s team was also ecstatic about her promotion. She continued, “I think it opens the door for them and what their possibilities are at HBW and in construction.”
A Forum of Support
A 2023 McKinsey Report, “Women in the Workplace,” concluded that women increasingly want to work for companies that prioritize career advancement, flexibility, and employee well-being – and will quit when their needs aren’t being met. That’s why it’s important to us that HBW Construction has its own internal Women in Construction group.
The group has its own mission and vision, conducts professional development events, and meets regularly. This year, during Women in Construction Week, the group is hosting a construction tour to visit projects that are run by female project managers.
It’s also a forum for women to share their challenges and receive support or guidance from other women who have “been there and done that.”
New Pathways Worth Exploring
Encouraging women to consider a career in construction includes educational opportunities and shining a light on jobs that appeal to their many specific and individual talents and interests. We advise other women to have an open mind about construction. Many picture bulldozers and dump trucks when they see a construction company name on a job posting, but that’s not the whole industry, and there’s a business side to every construction site.
HBW Construction isn’t a brick-and-mortar builder, but it is a fast-paced business that is strategic about growth, making it ripe with opportunities for women.
Melissa took a leap of faith coming to HBW. She was burned out from her job as the director of a busy preschool but had a strong background in operations and juggling multiple priorities.
“I didn’t really know anything about construction, but from the first moment I came in for the interview, I could tell the people were really genuine and really had a passion for the work. I’ve been here nine years, and it still feels brand new. I have such comradery with our team and enjoy how different each day can be.”
Kelly started as an entry-level marketing assistant. “People were very supportive from day one. I know it’s cliché to say, it feels like a family here but that’s exactly how it feels. I am given the trust and flexibility to do my job how I see fit and am valued for that work. That’s really important to me.”
We asked other women at HBW to share their vision for the future of women in construction.
“I would love to see even more women in project management and team executive roles.” Project Manager, 9 months with HBW
“I would like to see women treated as equals 100% of the time in this industry. We are just as smart, organized, strong, and capable, if not more so, in some cases.” Senior Project Manager, 5 years with HBW
“I hope to see women in leadership positions continue to grow and more women in the field at HBW.” Marketing Manager, 10 years with HBW
“For a long time, the industry was a little rigid regarding how and who should fill specific roles. I hope to see more companies retain their female employees by giving them the opportunities they deserve.”Digital Marketing Coordinator, 8 years with HBW
These visions are within reach and part of a larger effort. Last year, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, announced the Million Women in Construction Initiative to double the number of women in construction — from 1 million to 2 million — over the next ten years. The industry is pushing to make it happen by supporting organizations like NAWIC, the CREW Network, and Women Building Washington.
If you want to explore career opportunities in construction for women or be part of HBW’s growth story, visit www.hbwconstruction.com/careers, or contact Melissa Jones 301.424.2900.
In addition, most of the jobs that women perform in the construction industry are administrative or sales roles. Professionals, management and finance, transportation, construction and maintenance roles are still dominated by men.
To observe Women in Construction Week, which happens in March each year, we wanted to share the benefits of having women in the field and in managerial roles. At HBW, we have experienced a positive environment to grow our careers, including an internal Women in Construction group to help the company retain and support women professionals. Here are two perspectives about the value that women bring to construction projects.
Jessica Hipp – Construction Superintendent
I have been in the construction industry for about 15 years, almost three years now with HBW. I started as a steamfitter and welder and learned to manage a project over time. I wanted to go to college for psychology, but I couldn’t afford it. Surprisingly, I am now in a role where it’s critical to understand human behavior and get many people working in the same direction.
As a superintendent, I am the center point of job site activity and the construction project schedule. I am working with people from all different life experiences, ages, races, different beliefs and attitudes. We have to be a team to get the job done well. It’s not easy, but it’s very rewarding.
What I mean is that construction can be a brash and tough workplace environment. When there are issues, some people will butt heads and get angry, which can make the work more stressful than it needs to be.
The last three projects I worked on, though, the management team, owners and architects were all female. When we’re all at the table for our weekly meetings, it’s pretty incredible. Seeing other women on the job site with tape measures and hard hats is so enlightening. In my career, I have definitely seen more women architects and project managers than when I started. Things seem to happen faster in the construction project schedule on those jobs with better communication and efficiency.
Superintendents tend to move around a lot. We like new challenges and don’t get attached to companies. One of the reasons I chose to work for HBW was the recruiting process. I came for an interview, and I could tell that the leadership team would care about me. My experience here has been completely different than other companies I’ve worked for; I have a senior superintendent who I can call anytime I need something. If I’ve had a rough day, he will talk me off the ledge. I feel heard and supported by the leadership team in a way that makes me so glad I chose them.
“I think what I bring to the construction industry is chaos management skills. I’m always anticipating and looking ahead to the next phase and how to avoid issues before they start. I can also quickly organize and mobilize people to handle a problem as it’s happening. I can assert myself without screaming to get the job done effectively.”
Alexandra Dramby – Senior Project Manager
My dad always worked in construction. He was a senior project manager, and I would work in his office during the summer. I continued working there as a full-time project administrator while I went to college at night. I actually didn’t go to college for construction, but after graduation I put the feelers out to different industries to get an entry-level position. None of the positions intrigued me compared to what I was doing at my construction job.
So I made the decision to stay in construction. I worked my way up from project engineer to project manager, and it happened that I was bidding on the same project as HBW about five years ago. They took my contact information and reached out, but it took a year for me to make the decision. I’m a very loyal person and wanted to give my former company a chance, but I was getting disillusioned. I actually thought about leaving construction. Instead, I took the position at HBW, and it was the best decision I ever made. I love to come to work here.
I agree with Jessica that the number one thing women can bring to construction projects is organizing solutions and keeping everything well documented and clean. From the clients I know who like to work with me, they appreciate my prompt response to help them save time and money.
We have our women in construction group at HBW that meets quarterly, and we do fun gatherings like a happy hour or a paint night or we’ll do training on something such as the art of negotiation. Also, our president Phil Scott is active in Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), which shows that he supports women in the industry. That is a model for the company. We treat each other with respect and care.
“My dad is still in construction as a director of health care construction, and my husband is in construction, too. I like sharing ideas and referrals with them and getting advice. I’m looking forward to where this career takes me next, and I would say that there are many opportunities for women in the construction industry.”
Careers in Construction
It is not required to have a degree in construction to work in the industry, with most people starting as helpers or administrators and advancing through their field work experience. College graduates typically start as project engineers and work their way up to assistant project manager, project manager or senior project manager. From there, they can apply for superintendent roles to run their own projects.
Management isn’t the only opportunity in construction. Trade roles such as plumbing and electrical or transportation and heavy equipment are in demand. The field also offers fairly equal pay for women as for men. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites that the median full-time wage for women in construction is $46,808 per year compared to $43,394 for female workers across all industries.
Women who work in construction and recent graduates, regardless of degree, are welcome to contact HBW to learn more about our firm and how we promote women in construction. Happy Women in Construction Week!
