Grierson He is a third-year apprentice with Sheet Metal Workers Union 206. He lives in El Cajon with AO Reed.
Although women in construction only make up 14 percent of the current construction workforce in the country, I am proud to be one of the few women paving the way for future women in construction. When I was thinking about work at a younger age, I never considered construction as a career path at any stage of my life. Even when I was pursuing a degree in Fire Science at Miramar College, I never considered construction as a career path. It wasn’t until I settled and found satisfaction in my job as the Front Office Manager for a large pediatric dental practice in North County that I realized that maybe being satisfied wasn’t enough. I wanted to work with my hands and have a sense of pride and accomplishment at the end of each day. So, although I felt I could succeed in my position, I was determined to find a career that would allow me to grow and be happy, rather than settling for satisfaction.
At first, it was hard for me to find a career that interested me the most. I had no idea what it took to become a construction worker. I went to the only person with first-hand experience of becoming a female construction worker: my good friend, Jamie Talmic. She had already nearly completed her sheet metal apprenticeship program with Sheet Metal Workers Union 206 and was able to answer all my questions about the application process. To my surprise, the application process was very easy.
I learned that 401(k), retirement benefits, medical options, etc. are standard throughout the industry for union members. When I finally decided to take the plunge and become a sheet metal worker apprentice with Local 206, Jamye became my mentor. With Jamye’s guidance, I found a community of sheet metal workers who welcomed me with open arms. Shortly after joining the trade, I became a member of a local group based in San Diego called Building Trades Sisters. This group hosts monthly meetups and socials with women throughout Southern California who are interested in or currently in the profession. These women are a sister-like support system who help each of us navigate the struggles women face daily in this male-dominated industry and provide the knowledge and information to help each of us succeed.
The challenges for women in the construction industry are enormous. Women feel held to different standards than men in the industry. As a culture, inappropriate behavior and harassment are often ignored on the job site. Women often face discrimination based on physical ability, exclusion from key decision-making processes, and wage discrimination.
But as a member of the Building Trades Sisters and with the support of my local, I find myself an active member of a healthier construction culture. I know that the women’s organization of Building Trades Sisters will help me get through any challenges I may face, and I also have the support of local members representing my interests and can go to them if I feel my grievances have not been addressed. Similarly, being a member of Local 206 ensures that my pay is on par with my male coworkers and that I receive the same raises negotiated on my behalf, making an honest, livable wage a reality for San Diego County.
It’s my third year working in the construction industry and I now feel that I have a clear career path in front of me with plenty of opportunities for growth. Women are only a small percentage of the industry, but I believe that will change as more women realize what an exciting and rewarding job it can be. Any woman who wants to earn a living wage and be proud of her work contributing to building the country’s infrastructure should seriously consider a career in construction.
