Constructing Her Future: 妮可Zalewski '22

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Constructing Her Future: 妮可Zalewski '22

妮可Zalewski, wearing glasses and a construction helmet, stands in front of an old brick building with a statue of a triceratops out front.

How the recent grad and field engineer is busting stereotypes on her path to become a leader in the construction management industry.

根据美国的数据.S. 劳工和统计局, women make up less than 10 percent of the construction management workforce. And for 妮可Zalewski ’22, it’s a disparity that comes with consequences.

“作为一个女人, I have to work five times as hard as my male counterparts to earn the respect of my colleagues and subcontractors,扎莱夫斯基说. “It is a sad reality that most men in the industry do not take a woman seriously, and they do not appreciate having a female boss.”

But the challenges haven’t stopped her. After excelling in Utica’s construction management program, serving as secretary for the University’s 学生 Contractors Association and vice president for the Women in Construction Club, Zalewski celebrated her graduation in May with a job in-hand. 2022年2月, she was accepted a position as a field engineer for the Turner Construction Company in Connecticut; she started work in July.

除了她的课堂经验, Zalewski credits the family atmosphere of Utica’s CM program for “helping me grow as an individual,” citing the group’s frequent cookouts, 电影之夜, 以及社区服务项目, like building children’s beds for local non-profit Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Her ultimate career goal: to be that “female boss” as a project superintendent for a large general contractor or the military — and a role model for other women in the industry.

“I tell other female students interested in CM that people may look at you differently because you are a woman in construction. Don't worry about what they think. This is not their path,” she says. “If you show up every day and apply yourself, you will succeed.”

利记sbo is doing its part to promote diversity in the construction management field, with help from The Hayner Hoyt Corporation and company president, 杰里米·C. 瑟斯顿的00.

Learn more about the Hayner Hoyt Corporation Construction Management Scholarship