Supporting Women in Construction.
Answers from Women Project Managers and Engineers, Sales, and Office Departments for a well-rounded perspective.
AMBER-ROSE SOUSA
Project Manager
With Arden Engineering Constructors for 4 Years
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
Being part of something enduring. You get to create buildings, infrastructures, and sustainable projects that help society function better. The work I have done in the past I am proud of.
Have you visited a project site?
Always enjoyable, I have been on job sites since I was a kid. They are all very different and interesting in their own ways.
What has been your biggest challenge or best experience working in your position within the construction industry?
I would have to say the biggest challenge is being recognized for my talent and not my gender. As a young adult bidding on a residential project against other electrical contractors, my best experience was not knowing who I was and then beating them and getting the job.
CINDY SHEENAN
Electrical Estimator / Project Manager
With Arden Engineering Constructors over 5 Years
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the construction industry?
The U.S. construction market is one of the largest and worldwide has been one of the top revenue-generating industries. For example, in 2018, construction spending topped 1.2 trillion. It may slow down, but it’s not going away.
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
The opportunity to be continuously learning in this field. The ability of the expertise of the craft workers.
Have you visited a project site?
They’re all different. The visual is the best part, and you can see what’s on or not on paper.
NATALIE MANSSON
Project Engineer
With Arden Engineering Constructors over 2 Years
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the construction industry?
Even though it is fast-paced, people will still take time out of their day to understand how things work in the industry.
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
Others’ willingness to help you solve problems.
Have you visited a project site?
Yes, it was interesting to see the project plans on paper and then see them in person.
What has been your biggest challenge or best experience working in your position within the construction industry?
The best experience working in my position has been being able to visit sites and attend walk-throughs.
KATIE SPATCHER
Sales Account Manager
With Arden Engineering Constructors over 15 Years
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the construction industry?
It always amazes me how quickly a job or project can come together in an emergency.
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
All the new technology coming out to help increase productivity and prevent issues in the field is incredible. Also, seeing the technology of equipment in the field, I see how far it has come.
Have you visited a project site?
Yes, I always have a good experience on-site, and it is great to see so many different facilities.
ROCHELLE SABATOS
Service Coordinator
With Arden Engineering Constructors over 3 Years
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
How important this industry is for our environment and how easy we bend to it. The sheer size of the HVAC units, boilers, and buildings we construct are amazing.
Have you visited a project site?
Yes, the thrill of watching a 70-ton HVAC unit moved by a crane to the top of a 10-story building and being around the technicians was exhilarating.
What has been your biggest challenge or best experience working in your position within the construction industry?
Remembering and picturing all the material and terminology that goes with the construction industry.
DIANA CULLEN
Service Coordinator
With Arden Engineering Constructors for 5 Years
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the construction industry?
The level of cross knowledge the Service Technicians have. They have a good understanding of the other disciplines required to complete a job, and many hold multiple licenses for different skillsets.
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
Enjoying my job and the team I work with. I’d planned to go into a career focusing on the arts, but I find this work much more satisfying than I had expected to.
Have you visited a project site?
No, but I am looking forward to hands-on training with one of our Traffic Division electricians. I’ll learn the anatomy of a streetlight as I now handle that division’s service calls too.
What has been your biggest challenge or best experience working in your position within the construction industry?
Working at Arden, I don’t feel I am treated any differently because I am a female. No one assumes what I should or should not know something. If I want to learn, I am taught, and If I am knowledgeable, it is appreciated.
LAUREEN GOSSELIN
Administrative Assistant
With Arden Engineering Constructors for over 15 Years
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the construction industry?
Scheduling. Without the proper construction schedule, for all trades, one or more trades may fall behind…this aspect can be very costly to the owner, general contractor, and subcontractors.
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
I like the fact that our projects are with multiple types of buildings and getting to assist with them and other public and private sector companies.
KARYN KIRYLO
Accounts Payable
With Arden Engineering Constructors over 20 Years
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the construction industry?
Seeing all the materials purchased on invoices, you know what the products are and what they are used and needed for.
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
After working in the industry for 20 years, the people you get to know personally from either working in the company or communication of contacts are a plus!
KAREN POITRAS
Senior Accountant
With Arden Engineering Constructors for 5 Years
What stands out the most for you working in this industry?
How many unions are involved, and the amount of paperwork required for reporting.
