Women in Construction (WIC) Week aims to celebrate, educate, and promote the role of women in the construction industry. In honor of WIC Week 2022, we sat down with women at Raymond to get their thoughts on the industry, their work, their goals, and inspirations.
Sabrina Smith
Risk Manager | Sabrina has been with Raymond for nine years, and currently oversees the organization’s comprehensive insurance and risk management program, assessing and identifying risks that could impede the organization’s reputation, safety, security, or financial success.
What has been your career progression at Raymond? I graduated from Cal Sate Fullerton with a degree in marketing and started my career with Raymond in our marketing department. Over the years, my role has transitioned, and with the support of Raymond, has flourished.
What are the advantages for women working in construction? There are a lot of women who make things happen in construction. Women are part of skilled craft, project management, accounting, safety, design, marketing and much more. There are diverse opportunities with varying career paths. Many of my colleagues have come into the industry, grown from unconventional roles, and prospered.
What do you like to do when you are not at work? I love spending time with my family, two-year-old daughter Coco, five-year-old son Jackson, and husband Thomas. I enjoy staying active and exploring new places.
Twyla Williams
Laborer, Las Vegas | Twyla is a valuable member of Raymond’s Las Vegas team. Along with her duties with the laborer crew at Fontainebleau, she is also the Job Site Union Steward for Local #872.
What do you like most about working in construction? The excitement of building a project from beginning to end. The ability to take pride in creating a structure enjoyed by all the world, to see and appreciate.
What are the advantages of being a woman in construction? The ability to prove equality and diversity creates a positive contribution to the work force. I am proud to prove myself to the company each day and take part in projects as a team player.
What are the biggest challenges? Challenges for myself in the workforce consist mostly around proving myself as an asset in a team environment. The initial time taken to prove my worth and value was a great challenge to overcome.
What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry? You should learn as much as you can, and diversify as many of your skillsets as possible. Take advantage of training opportunities (like classes provided from the union hall).
How do you think construction can attract more female candidates? Childcare awareness. Childcare is a main focus for women coming into construction. More awareness of options available would open opportunities to increase female numbers in the trade.
What makes you proud of your work? My pride in my work comes from seeing a project come together from an empty dirt lot to some of the top producing casinos and venues here in Las Vegas.
What personal qualities help you succeed? Personal qualities that have brought me the most success are my awareness on the jobsite, especially regarding safety concerns, and my people skills to articulate myself to my foreman.
What inspires you? Constant thoughts of my children inspire me to keep a focus on safety for myself and those around me. It also keeps me motivated to give my all on the job every day.
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry? The most important change happening in construction, in my opinion, is the attention to safety, and the quality of safety training. My grandfather worked in the construction industry at a Detroit steel plant from the 1940’s to 70’s. After he retired, he passed away from exposure to dangerous substances and materials. This was due to the lack of a Safety & Health program, consistent with companies of their day.
What is your favorite project you have worked on? Favorite projects that I have worked on include the MGM Hotel in Detroit, Callaway Nuclear Plant in Missouri, and Resorts World with Raymond in Las Vegas.
Katie Watton
Project Engineer, Las Vegas | Katie has been in the AEC industry for 10 years, and with Raymond for two+. Starting as a BIM Detailer working in prefabrication, Katie is now a Project Engineer at Raymond’s Fontainebleau project.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career? The most memorable moment in my career was having an opportunity to speak at Autodesk University. Speaking in front of 100+ AEC professionals, knowing that there were probably attendees that knew more than I did, was the scariest thing I’ve ever done!
What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry? My advice would be to learn as much as you can, stay eager, and never be complacent. If your company doesn’t have room for advancement, find a company that does. Never settle.
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry? I think the most important change happening in the industry are the continuous technological advancements. I’ve been in the AEC industry for about 10 years now. In that short time, I’ve seen some crazy advances, especially in the areas of building information modeling and virtual design and construction. I’ve worked on MEP coordination, drone surveying, point cloud scanning, and augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR)… not just in design and preconstruction, but AR and VR in the field as well! Today, companies aren’t afraid to adopt new technology and I’m lucky to be a part of that.
Courtney McCarthy
Project Engineer, Southern California | Courtney has been with Raymond for five years. She is a former Division 1 College Athlete, having received a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from The University of Toledo.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career? My most memorable moment in my career was training with my late father, Dennis McCarthy. Going to a job walk with him and watching how all the other subcontractors, and general contractors, respected him. That moment, and the pride I saw him take in his work, will forever stick with me.
What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry? My advice is simple; respect is not given, it is earned. You must put forth the work and effort to do what others do not think you will.
What makes you proud of working in the construction industry? What makes me proud to work in the construction industry, is this company, Raymond. I am proud of the work we provide our clients, the way we treat every individual no matter the circumstance, and I am proud to work with such individuals that care for you as a person, not just a number. Plus, it is fun to brag about the cool jobs we do!
What makes you proud of your work? As a Project Engineer, I love rising to the challenges of “shopping” for material, even when the lead times seem impossible. To find what we need, and see how fast I can get it, to make sure our field has everything they need to continue working each and every day.
What personal qualities help you succeed? Our field employees have told me, which I take pride in hearing, that I remind them of my father. They love the sarcastic humor I bring to the field, and that I take the time to build relationships. As a former Division 1 college athlete, I have a team mentality where if one does not succeed, we all do not. Every person on a project is on your team to get the job done, and done right.
What is your favorite project you have worked on? My favorite project was a theme park project, where Raymond was presented with new scope of work. I loved seeing the vision from our client come to life and I am so proud of how the team rose to the occasion, going above and beyond to exceed the client’s expectations.
Bonnie Netkin
Project Engineer, Las Vegas | Bonnie Netkin is a Project Engineer in Las Vegas. She has been in the construction industry for 19 years, and with Raymond for two. Bonnie is currently working on three Raymond projects, including Fontainebleau, a 67-story resort and casino.
What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry? Have a voice. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions or concerns, ask for what you want, and express where you want to go. Join organizations in your industry to connect with other women. These organizations, like the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), often offer education opportunities, career advice and support.
What brought you into the construction industry? Luck and hard work – I was hired as a receptionist for an architect in 2003 and worked my way through, and up, all avenues of the industry.
What’s the best thing about your job? The best thing about my job is that I genuinely get along with my coworkers and I have quite a support system here at Raymond.
What is the most challenging part of your job? I’d say how fast paced the days are, and making the time to learn new things.
What do you like doing when you’re not at work? I like to volunteer for various organizations as well as dog-sit quite often for friends and family. I’ve been a foster parent for the NSPCA and Animal Foundation for seven years on and off. There are so many pets that need temporary homes, these organizations hold a special place to me.
What inspires you? I am inspired by strong women that have made their own way in life.