Need Help...gender Related

Kristin

I realize this may be an iffy topic and for that I am going to go ahead and apologize. But at this point I am struggling with finding work since I am a female. I am in school part time for construction management technologies and learning bit by bit. I have experience in roofing mostly but a little in estimating as well. I realize that being a "newbie" the opportunities are slim to none but I am trying to get as much experience as I can under my belt now and start while I'm young (I'm 22 by the way).

Today I went in for an estimating position...pretty much had the job before I even walked in there really. He was just going to do the training today. Sorta like a walk through. Let me tell you it was the worst experience with an employer I have ever had. I am pretty strong, I grew up with boys so I can take a jab...but this guy was a complete ass He complained the whole time I was with him stating "if it weren't for me having to take you around I would be in bed right now." then he had enough balls to ask me what nationality I was and then proceeded to ask if I had any Cuban in me...I said no...he said "do ya want some in ya?" Needless to say once we got back to the office I said it was nice to meet him and thanks for his time. I felt like he wasted my time and his. Plus the fact that he kept telling me about the receptionist position.

So to you females on here or you men that have wifes/gfs in the business...is it always going to be like this? Or did I just get a bad apple?

I am still new to this area (Lake Norman)...there are quite a bit of construction companies in the area but none want to hire someone without 5+ years experience. I know not EVERYONE went to school and got a 4 year degree in this stuff. They all seem to want to stick me behind a desk to answer phones all day. Just because I'm a female doesn't mean I need to answer phones...I wanna get dirty, I wanna WORK for crying out loud.

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

You know he can be sued for sexual harassment making a comment like that, and yes he did waste your time.
But if that is you in your profile then expect not to be taken seriously, The way a lot of guys are in this business they will be thinking with their little head before they use the ones on there shoulders.

You sound like you just want to work and be treated as a trades persons, and having the field experience on top of estimating knowledge is all the better and should make you more valuable to the right employer. Just keep at it and you'll find someone to give you a chance.

Good Luck

P.S. I am a guy and when I consider hiring I Base it on experience or if you're new I base it on motivation and willingness to learn.

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DaveH

Did he have a nice office? Did he drive a nice car?

I only ask this because you now can own all of it if you wish..

I have been an estimator for 20 years
A project manager for 20 years
I owned a construction company for 15 years
I owned a retail supply chain for 15 years...BUT
I hired alot of women to do alot of "mens" work.

This guy needs a little shake up (my hands are available to do the shaking

You are going to be climbing uphill in your career. Get used to it. You don't have to like it, and we know you don't, but it is the way of the world. I had a similar experience myself..Oh yeah. You see I went to school out of high school to learn to cut hair. We had a family salon business. I was met at every turn with ill treatment because I was heterosexual and was learning the business. I climbed up the hill for a while and finally said "I gotta get outta here". So I did. My experience...not yours but I think it relates. If I can give you any pointers on how to estimate I would be willing.

P.S. I would like to call this guy and tell him I'm your lawyer and ask him what assets he has ready to liquidate because we had him on tape!!

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A buck a foot is not an estimate! It's a crap shoot!

Cole

Kristin, don't worry about that a**hole!!

What are your goals, what are you striving for and we can give you some info on how to meet your goals.

Say 5 years down the road?

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dougchips

Dave, how many positions did you do at once? Or are you really in your 80's or 90's?

DaveH

I did them all concurrently. I'm 39 years old. When you are a sole proprietor you wear lots of hats...That's why I wear one now..

__________________
A buck a foot is not an estimate! It's a crap shoot!

River Rat Dad

It's a predominatly male oriented business for sure. And with the "blue collar" aspect added in, it will be a slightly rocky road for a young woman. Here in Ann Arbor MI there are numerous women in the trades. I know an electrician who runs here own one woman show, a lead carpenter and two women that own fairly busy remodeling company's.
And those are just the ones I know.

On the sexual harrassment take though, I am wondering if the fact that she wasn't an employee, only an applicant would make a difference.

And may I ask DaveH, which hat will you be wearing when you shake little Ricky Ricardo?

Mudpuppy

Kristen, if you want to be in construction in most any manner you are going to have to accept that there are dicks out there. You need to be able to suck it up and give it back to them. As a female if someone tries to break your balls, break them back. Dont just shrivel back into a helpless little chick posture. Yeah this sh@t is common on sites, you can either let it beat you or you get over it, bash em back and show who you are, or you find somewhere more comforting. I have no problem whatsoever with women in construction if they can pull their weight, in my trade women make better tapers then most men, i dont care. but when you start throwning around law suit type things because of one typical dick then its not good. Dress tough, be tough, and give back like a trucker and youll be fine. And dont play a fu@*ing victim, ever!

Teetorbilt

Ol'#2 fights with some of the biggest boys in the biz (communications consultant and AVAYA is their major product), she wins more than she loses. It really helps if you have a guy (like me) to explain how biz is done in a male dominated business. No quarter asked, non given. NUTZ!

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Mudpuppy

oh and by the way look at River Rat Dads avitar and youll see most of who youll be dealing with.
No offense River Rat Dad

realpurty2

I can blow smoke up your tush and be supportive, or I can be honest. In my personal experience, it's VERY hard to get the respect from the men in construction and related industries. It's even hard to get from hubby/partner at times. I don't care how right we are, or how much knowledge or education we have, there are always going to be a closed minded few who refuse to acknowlege it.

It takes ALOT of effort to prove yourself and earn respect, but once you do, it's worth it. Be prepared... never go into anything at all without all your facts. Engage in conversation, make them see what you know and don't give up insisting for the opportunity to show it. You might have encountered one a**, but he won't be the last. You can do it. I have faith in ya.

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Woman in a Man's World.

Zatol

Tell me about your roofing experience...

Tscarborough

Excuse me for being callous, but Boo, F'ing Hoo. I have worked for guys that made that guy sound like a sweetheart. It is tough out there get, used to abuse.

If you feel he was quilty of sexual harrasment, pursue it, but realistically, that was mild compared to what you will see and hear day in and day out, among men, about men. It is in poor taste and is the lowest form of humor, but the fact remains that working the trades will seldom expose you to discussion of the latest plays off Broadway.

It may sound harsh, but if you want to succeed in construction, your best bet is to simply ignore crass assholes. Don't try and be one of the guys, be above it, and it will take care of itself. I know plenty of women in construction from common laborers to skilled trades to management to owners, and the common trait they share is a lack of delicate feelings (kind of like the men).

Good luck, work hard and you will succeed, trust me.

Tom R

And remember, - - there's always a 'bright side', - - there's ugly girls that can only 'dream' of being SEXUALLY HARASSED!!

River Rat Dad

Out of line and deleted... (Nathan)

Tom R

Now I understand the expression on your Avatar!!

Cole

Keep it on topic, guys.

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River Rat Dad

hey it was all purty's fault, and Tom too...

George Z

I will echo most of the supportive comments you got here.
You likely got a bad apple and as you will see by most comments here,
most contractors are not like that,if they know what's good for them.
By the way, beeing sexually harassed is not a dream(not even a joke).
In our company you do that you are fired, no second chances given.

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Big Dave

Yeah, be carefull. I've noticed things around here have been dissappearing like Hoffa.

I'd hate to see one of ya'll dissappear.

Well almost anyone

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