INDUSTRY
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Striving for perfection Our conversation with Central Roofing’s Cindy Hillegass The advances I have been exposed to while at Central Roofing provide exceptional trend examples from 3D imaging, leak detection products, to live vegetative roof top parks and gardens. While this generates interesting project development, it demands contractors stay on top of their individual industry advancements, training and education—or risk being left behind and out of work.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen over the past few years?
From board drafting with pencil and ruler to CAD programs, the changes have been nonstop. The biggest change in recent years is the need for contractors to supply their own CAD-generated submittal and shop drawings. Architects and specifiers are looking for more job-specific detailed information defining how trades and crafts will transition and tie together.
Cindy Hillegass
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s just one of three females graduating from Minneapolis’ Architectural Drafting and Estimating Program at Dunwoody Institute, Cindy Hillegass’ evolution in
the commercial construction industry made strides early. While her passion for the profession started early (as a teenager, she worked alongside her father installing surround sounds, networks and antennas in new residential construction projects) she did not immediately opt for a secondary education pursuit. Instead, she settled into more typical female jobs like retail, fast food and accounting. But as the call for a career change beckoned, Hillegass found herself drawn to the construction world, especially in the drafting/architect sector. She found it the perfect spot to take her shot.
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We caught up with Hillegass to get her thoughts on the industry’s future for women, her plans for a return to normalcy and how the biggest item on her to-do list may help women everywhere.
Give us a snapshot of the construction market today.
Currently, design appears to be driving the construction market toward creative utopian projects featuring more complex, energy efficient and environmental challenges for contractors. Thankfully, product manufacturers are simultaneously stepping up their game.
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — ISSUE 4, 2021
Name some of the opportunities available for women in the industry.
With all the advances in the construction industry, women are constantly discovering ways to outwit obstructions and discover innovative opportunities where none previously existed. Only limited by their own imaginations, from trade workers to management and everything in between, there exists a treasure trove of roles waiting for female pioneers. Women bring their natural born insight, empathy, grace and passion to the workforce. As they take on industry roles traditionally held by men, the opportunities for improvement are expanding. Jobs in a variety of areas, including communication, application and idea generation, are constantly expanding.
What challenges remain?
In many situations, women still are under-represented and often under-paid in the construction industry. They’re able to
