Bulldozing stereotypes
Construction women break concrete ceiling
Bartholomew Klick
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Campus Life
There's no doubt construction is a male-dominated industry and PSU's construction program reflects that.
"In several of my classes, I'm the only female," Rebekah Dallman, junior in construction engineering technology, said. "At conferences, there are usually only a few females, and the last time I checked, there were only 15 or 16 women in our department. We have 300 men."
This overbalanced demographic doesn't intimidate Dallman.
Even at her internship this past summer where it was only her and one other girl, she describes the experience as great meeting the other male construction majors. They didn't hassle her at all.
"There were never any problems, really," Dallman said. "They treated me like a little sister. They respected me. We were a little family for the summer."
This isn't to say that women in construction do not face unique challenges - far from it.
"One of the larger problems we're trying to figure out is having children," Dallman said. "When you're in the field, you work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The industry is still trying to figure out a solution."
Another problem, one specifically addressed at a seminar for women in construction, that was sponsored by the Keiwit construction company, is that women surrounded by so many men face pressure to be more like a man to fit in.
Dallman doesn't buy into it, though.
"Be who you are," Dallman said. "Don't try to change yourself."
Lori VanDyne, junior in construction management, says women in construction are already strong and forward - traits that are often seen as masculine. Even so, she says a problem for her is trying to prove herself to men in her field, especially older, experienced ones.
"I try to overcome that by being direct, hard-working and knowledgeable about what I'm doing, balanced by knowing when to ask for help and admitting when I don't know how to do something," VanDyne said. "I think that as long as you're true to yourself, and you command respect, you're on the right track."
Overall, female PSU construction majors seem to see more advantages than disadvantages with the industry and their place in it.
"There are so many opportunities that construction provides," Monica Wuertz, sophomore in construction engineering technology, said. "It is such a broad industry. I would advise women then not to be discouraged to be in a field that is traditionally male-dominated."
And there are always the special perks.
"I learned how to weld," Dallman said. "It was really cool, and I love saying I know how to do it."
Women considering construction as their major can learn more by attending the bi-monthly Society of Women in Engineering Technology (SWET, pronounced "Sweet") meetings, which meets the first and third day of every month in the Kansas Technology Center.
"In several of my classes, I'm the only female," Rebekah Dallman, junior in construction engineering technology, said. "At conferences, there are usually only a few females, and the last time I checked, there were only 15 or 16 women in our department. We have 300 men."
This overbalanced demographic doesn't intimidate Dallman.
Even at her internship this past summer where it was only her and one other girl, she describes the experience as great meeting the other male construction majors. They didn't hassle her at all.
"There were never any problems, really," Dallman said. "They treated me like a little sister. They respected me. We were a little family for the summer."
This isn't to say that women in construction do not face unique challenges - far from it.
"One of the larger problems we're trying to figure out is having children," Dallman said. "When you're in the field, you work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The industry is still trying to figure out a solution."
Another problem, one specifically addressed at a seminar for women in construction, that was sponsored by the Keiwit construction company, is that women surrounded by so many men face pressure to be more like a man to fit in.
Dallman doesn't buy into it, though.
"Be who you are," Dallman said. "Don't try to change yourself."
Lori VanDyne, junior in construction management, says women in construction are already strong and forward - traits that are often seen as masculine. Even so, she says a problem for her is trying to prove herself to men in her field, especially older, experienced ones.
"I try to overcome that by being direct, hard-working and knowledgeable about what I'm doing, balanced by knowing when to ask for help and admitting when I don't know how to do something," VanDyne said. "I think that as long as you're true to yourself, and you command respect, you're on the right track."
Overall, female PSU construction majors seem to see more advantages than disadvantages with the industry and their place in it.
"There are so many opportunities that construction provides," Monica Wuertz, sophomore in construction engineering technology, said. "It is such a broad industry. I would advise women then not to be discouraged to be in a field that is traditionally male-dominated."
And there are always the special perks.
"I learned how to weld," Dallman said. "It was really cool, and I love saying I know how to do it."
Women considering construction as their major can learn more by attending the bi-monthly Society of Women in Engineering Technology (SWET, pronounced "Sweet") meetings, which meets the first and third day of every month in the Kansas Technology Center.
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