Women in Construction Week Employee Spotlight: Beth Orton

This week marks Women in Construction Week (March 1-7, 2020) hosted by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). The focus of the observance is to highlight women as a visible component of the construction industry and raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry.

In recognition of Women in Construction Week, it’s our honor to introduce you to a few of the women making it happen at PWI Construction.

Women in Construction Spotlight: Meet Beth Orton

Beth has been in construction for more than 35 years. As Senior Project Coordinator, Beth has a comprehensive body of knowledge in both field and administrative functions. We sat down with Beth to learn more about her career path and advice to others considering construction.

What got you interested in a career in construction?

No day is ever the same. Maintaining and sustaining relationships. Taking a project from beginning to end. Being an integral part of a team. I learn something new every day. I love being a woman in construction and a witness to the continuing rise of women in the industry.

What’s your favorite construction-career related memory?

When I started my first construction job, I checked out “The ABCs of Construction” from the library and started reading…I’ve never stopped. I had a mentor who trained me from the bottom up…reading blueprints to checking out the work on-site, including climbing onto a roof to learn torch-down bitumen roofing, curing the slab on a hot summer day and calculating slump. Over the years, I’ve been proud to make a difference in other people’s lives. I’ve witnessed and been a part of the successes of co-workers, subcontractors, and owners. My own journey has been a wild ride and I have appreciated the opportunities every step of the way.

What advice do you have for other women interested in construction?
Aim high yet stay humble. Communicate. Listen to people, take advice. Find a mentor. Learn the job better than anyone else. Develop leadership skills, share information, meet the challenge. Be confident, make connections and inspire each other. Trust yourself. Don’t give up!
Why is construction a great career field for women to pursue?

The future of the construction industry is an atmosphere where skills, knowledge, and experience will be without restrictions, including gender. A place that promotes inclusion and where women can develop leadership and interpersonal skills. A culture that supports high-performing females at all levels. The future is now. There has never been a better time to be a woman in construction.

Follow PWI Construction on Facebook and LinkedIn to hear more from the women of PWI Construction during Women in Construction Week.