By MARYAM SAMADY

For decades, construction has been seen as a man’s world: hard hats, steel beams and job sites dominated by male voices.

But that narrative is rapidly changing. Women are carving out their space in the industry, bringing fresh perspectives, leadership and a level of precision that’s reshaping the future of construction. As we celebrated Women in Construction Week last week with the theme “Together We Rise,” it was clear that this movement is bigger than individual success. It’s about lifting each other up and driving the industry forward.

With women steadily increasing in number in the construction workforce – an increase of 45 percent over the past decade – the industry is shifting. At our firm and elsewhere, women are not just participants in this evolution; they are leading it.

Strength in Skill: The Unique Superpower of Women in Construction

What makes women in construction so formidable? It’s not just about breaking barriers. It’s about bringing skills that enhance the entire industry. Studies show that women hold 39 percent of leadership roles in construction and dominate organizational and sales-related functions. But beyond the numbers, it’s the unique approach they bring to the job that makes an impact.

Women tend to be more detail-oriented. We’ve been trained since childhood to cross our T’s and dot our I’s, and that shows in our work. We catch the things others might miss.

Women tend to be highly organized, fact-driven and less focused on ego. That’s a huge benefit in this industry, especially in high-pressure environments.

The challenge can be in overcoming outdated assumptions. People still hesitate to see women as capable leaders on a jobsite. The expectation is always a man in his forties, directing the crew. But times are changing.

Advice to the Next Generation: Just Go for It

With more women stepping into construction careers, those who’ve paved the way have a clear message: If you’re thinking about it, do it.

For Denice Pena, stepping into construction meant stepping into new territory – literally. Her first project in the U.S., Valentino Aventura, was a defining moment in her career. She encourages young women considering a career in construction to embrace the challenges, saying, “We are working every day in solving solutions and finding solutions for each problem, and this makes us stronger and better people.”

Morgan Currie, another rising star at our firm, remembers a powerful piece of advice she received early on: grit is everything. We work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment where things change constantly, she says, and you have to embrace the challenges head-on and believe in yourself. Mentorship is invaluable, she adds.

And if you’re worried about facing resistance? Here’s a simple but effective approach: Shut it out. Don’t listen to the noise. If you want it, go for it. You’re the only person who can tell yourself no.

Breaking Barriers: Changing the Face of Construction

Women in construction aren’t just proving they belong. They’re reshaping the industry from within.

For Emile Bayme, a project engineer at DCC, the journey into construction wasn’t something she expected. “It just wasn’t a field that I saw myself going into,” she says. But now she has seen firsthand how women bring a different energy to the field. “I think women in general tend to be more patient and take a step back, especially in high-stress situations,” she explains. “Rather than reacting immediately, we remain calm and think things through before we act. That makes a huge difference on a jobsite.”

Progress is being made, especially when it comes to closing the wage gap. In the past year alone, the pay disparity for project managers has narrowed significantly, dropping from 18.1 percent to just 1.3 percent. Women in the construction industry are also outpacing national averages when it comes to pay equity, a significant achievement in a traditionally male-dominated field. However, challenges still remain. Many still face outdated misconceptions, from the belief that women are better suited to office roles to something as simple as ill-fitting personal protection gear.

I believe our company culture stands out because of the talented women I work alongside. One of the things that I love the most is working with a really smart group of women who are incredibly talented, focused and driven.

The message is clear: Women in construction are here to stay. And as more women step into leadership, the industry will continue to evolve – not just in numbers, but in perspective, skill and innovation.

So to the next generation of women eyeing a career in construction, I offer this advice: Put on that hard hat. Take up space. The industry needs you.

Maryam Samady is CFO at Dickinson Cameron Construction Company, Inc.