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Name: Rebecca Bodine
Title: Assistant Project Manager
Company Name: Bohler
What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months?
My greatest professional achievement this year has been assuming a leadership role and developing my skills as a manager. It has been extremely fulfilling helping my team navigate our industry and witnessing them grow both as engineers and as people. Bohler places a lot of importance on personal development in addition to technical talent. Because of this, I feel our team has a rare dynamic of support, respect and accountability that is unparalleled. We are constantly working on different projects, from movie studios to logistics centers to fast food restaurants and everything in between. We even worked on the first multi-story logistics center on the east coast, 640 Columbia St. We continue to push each other to achieve bigger and better things.
Why should women consider a career in construction?
I personally find this career extremely empowering and take great pride in the work that I do. It takes a long time to learn the ins and outs of our business and there are no shortcuts, but the best things in life do not come easy. The construction field is still predominantly male, leaving a lot of opportunity for women to bring new and unique ideas to the table. Every day is a new challenge and technical hurdle. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can make the impossible possible for our clients.
Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you?
My mother. I started my career in commercial development in Kentucky, where I faced constant obstacles as a result of my gender. My mom worked in STEM growing up and encouraged me to persevere through the challenges. She helped me view those “disadvantages” as opportunities to help pave the way for others.
Who within your own firm has helped you succeed within the construction industry?
I feel fortunate to belong to a firm with a huge support system and feel that everyone has played a role in my success. Top down, from the CEO to my immediate manager, I am constantly encouraged to go after my dreams. I have been given numerous opportunities for continued education and development, such as participating in an intensive leadership program and working with a career coach to understand the more nuanced parts of my job. We also have a Women’s Professional Network that adds an additional layer of support.
What advice would you offer to other women getting into the construction industry?
1) Look for a mentor. Having someone in your corner while navigating this career is paramount. 2) Seek support from others. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to lend a helping hand, teach you a new skill or be an advocate for you both internally and externally. It takes courage to ask for help, but it is a necessary step towards being successful. 3) Celebrate your differences. I used to think that being part of this industry required a specific set of behaviors and attitudes, but things are rapidly evolving. Diversity leads to more creativity, better problem solving and smarter decision making.
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