Nailing Her Future

Inspiring Women to Join Her Crew

When Morgan Buerster was in high school, she helped her mom and dad renovate their family home in Ingraham, Illinois. Now, four years later, she’s using her skills from Lake Land’s Building Construction Technology program to help build houses from the ground up.

A SOLID FOUNDATION

After discovering her passion for construction, Morgan decided to make a career out of it. She enrolled at Lake Land in Fall 2023, and since then, has expanded her skills in a student-friendly environment.

“You get a lot of hands-on experience in this program, and there’s always help when you need it,” Morgan said. “The small class sizes are nice too, because it lets the instructors focus on the students.”

RAISING THE BAR

Outside of class, Morgan works in Olney as a member of a five-person contractor crew. In this role she helps construct brand-new houses, doing everything from framing to tiling to electrical wiring. The job keeps her busy year-round, but she still makes time to help out where her love for construction began.

“My family has been getting back into more remodeling recently,” Morgan said. “So I’ve been able to help them more with what I’ve learned from Lake Land and my work experience.”

ONE OF A KIND

When Morgan graduates from Lake Land in May, she’ll be the only woman in the Building Construction Technology class of 2025. But over the last two years, she’s never felt different than any of her peers, and she knows she’s just as ready as they are for whatever lies ahead.

“After being here and working with all the guys, I realize I really can do whatever I put my mind to,” Morgan said. “I think a lot of the ladies who are hesitant to try just need to be told they can do it.”