According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up just over 10% of the construction industry in the United States. The 7th annual Women in Construction Management Summer Institue hosted by Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management seeks to give high school-aged young women an introduction to the world of construction in hopes of increasing their numbers and influence in the dynamic industry.
The five-day, four-night program is intended for young women ages 15-18 who are interested in architecture, engineering, and construction. With the help of student mentors who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in CM, the week-long programming included learning how to use industry-standard machinery, wiring and concrete procedures, and basic engineering activities. In between sessions, the program invited women industry professionals, many of whom are CSU CM alumni, to lead presentations on their career journeys and various construction management topics.
Building the future
The activities began Tuesday afternoon where participants were tasked with recreating the San Francisco—Oakland Bay Bridge with Lego bricks. After reviewing plans and assessing what bricks they would need, the women worked in groups to assemble their bridge.
The fun continued into Wednesday when the women constructed forms and wires that would be used to create a concrete lamp in the following days. Thanks to Milwaukee Tool, each attendee used and then went home with a complimentary bag of new tools to continue their construction journey safely.
On Thursday morning, participants mixed and poured concrete into the molds they had built the previous day. Following this, Sunstate Equipment provided the summer institute with equipment including a mini-excavator, a scissor-lift, and a forklift, to host an “equipment rodeo.” In addition, there were welding and drone stations for participants to learn their uses in construction. Industrial technology company, Trimble, set up stations showcasing how computer modeling technologies, combined with virtual reality, are used in the industry.
Friday brought more time for the women to work on their concrete lamps as they attached the bulb and base pads once the concrete dried. The participants were also tasked with creating a box made from wood and industrial pipes. Before the program ended Saturday afternoon, the women continued their hands-on experience by helping work on a Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity project.
Throughout the week, participants heard from a variety of women, including current CM students, alumni, and industry leaders, at a panel presentation and sessions on estimating, scheduling, strength-finding, and confidence-building.
Blueprint for success
At the end of the week, the women who participated in the institute reported gaining self-confidence, a deeper knowledge of the construction world and how women belong in it, proficiency in industry-standard tools, and development in a plethora of personal and professional skills. The young women were also eager to recommend the program to others.
One camp mentor, Daisy Dominguez Lopez, a current CM student, was a previous attendee in the 2022 camp when she was in high school. She notes that the admin, mentors, and fellow participants she interacted with during the summer of 2022 inspired her to come back as a mentor.
“This summer institute allowed me to make strong connections with the people I would be around once my college journey started,” Dominguez Lopez shared. “It allowed me to express my passion for construction without the feeling of being judged by men.”
Dominguez has served as a mentor the past two summers and looks forward to serving in this role again next summer.
“My motivation to keep on coming back as a mentor comes from the girls that attend the program,” said Dominguez Lopez. “Seeing them being able to be themselves, happy, powerful, and unstoppable brings joy and satisfaction to me. I love giving back to the community that helped me find my passion and will continue doing so to help other young girls find their passion.”
The program would like to thank Dave Woods and the Beavers Charitable Trust as the lead donor in funding the camp for the seventh year running. The Beavers’ gift ensured that all the participants could attend for a nominal registration fee.
You can view more photos from this year’s camp here.
The Department of Construction Management is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
