2023 Women in Construction: Jennifer Sharkey, IMC Construction

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? Being awarded two warehouses totaling 1,050,000 s/f on a 74-acre site. This is the largest footprint project I have been awarded in my career.

Why should women consider a career in construction? Women are amazing problem solvers and can juggle challenges in a way that seems superhuman at times. Construction presents new problems and challenges every single day. I know that as more women get involved in the industry, we will see new creative and inventive solutions that could not even be imagined in the industry 20 years ago.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? My dad. I have three sisters (and one brother), and my parents always raised us that we could do anything. My dad especially did not put his daughters in gendered boxes and would make sure we were always helping when he was doing home improvements, teaching us how to fix things ourselves. When we were old enough to work, our first jobs were on a construction site. 

Who within your own firm has helped you succeed within the construction industry? Devon Deitrich, our director of employee relations and partner at IMC. She is always encouraging of getting involved in outside organizations and helps to create mentorships opportunities at the company.

What advice would you offer to other women getting into the construction industry? Be curious and find a good mentor!