Women in Construction Week

It’s time to celebrate women in construction! In 2021, women accounted for just 10.9 percent of all workers in the construction industry in the US. This percentage has remained nearly unchanged for the last 20 years. These Mid-State students and grads are helping us change that!

Women in Construction Week takes place during the first week in March every year to raise awareness and celebrate the work of women in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) first established the official week of recognition in 1998. NAWIC was founded in 1953 by 16 women working in the construction industry to create a support network for women working in a male-dominated field. 
 

Cadence Becker

Construction Trades 

“I love working with my hands and being able to see something come out of my work.”

Cadence is a 2022 graduate of the Construction Trades program and is currently employed by AZCO, where she works at the solar field in Saratoga, Wisconsin. In her role, Cadence has been a part of several crews installing and wiring solar panels, testing the polarity of solar panels, and taking down and replacing combiner boxes. Though she wasn’t originally interested in renewable energy, Cadence came to love it once she got started in the field. 

Her favorite part of her job is working with renewable energy and the interactive aspects of her work. “I love working with my hands and being able to see something come out of my work,” says Cadence.

She worked hard to prove she was capable of the same things as her male coworkers. Her advice to women entering the field of construction is to not let other people tell you what you can’t do.
 

Christina Ermis

Construction Electrician Apprenticeship

“I enjoy troubleshooting or doing complicated jobs. I love feeling accomplished after doing a tough task.”

Christina is a current first-year Construction Electrician (ABC) Apprenticeship student completing her apprenticeship through Meier Electrical Systems and Services out of Eagle River, Wisconsin. Christina chose a career in construction and knew it was right for her through the encouragement she received from her friends and parents, who pushed her to go into a career field that made her happy. She spent summers working with her dad as a pole builder where she discovered she enjoyed being on her feet and working with her hands.

When asked what she loves about her job, Christina says, “I enjoy troubleshooting or doing complicated jobs. I love feeling accomplished after doing a tough task. I also enjoy learning about electrical from my coworkers—they are very good teachers.”

Her advice to women entering the construction field is to be yourself and to keep in mind that your job doesn’t define who you are.
 

Hailey Fisher

Construction Electrician Apprenticeship

“The main reason I love my job is the diversity.”

Hailey is a current Construction Electrician (ABC) Apprenticeship student and plans to graduate from her program in the spring of 2026. Her apprenticeship is through McMillan Electric out of Medford, Wisconsin. Hailey knew she wanted to work in the electrical field after participating in a mentorship and youth apprenticeship with two different electrical companies during her senior year of high school. She found the right support and encouragement in her current company and was able to quickly learn new skills with the help of her mentors.

“The main reason I love my job is the diversity,” says Hailey. “My company takes on many unique jobs throughout the week. I will work on a specific jobsite one day, then the next I can be on another. Even though my company is located in a smaller area, there is a balanced work environment for residential, commercial, and industrial jobs.”

Her advice to women entering the construction field is to not be afraid to speak up. Asking questions or getting clarification will help your immediate challenge and help overcome future obstacles.

 

Cassie Fox

Carpenter Apprenticeship

“A huge challenge to me was being the first female field worker in this company, but showing up with all of my own tools, being on time, and already having a background of knowledge through the years helped me stand out in the field quickly.”

Cassie is a current third-year Carpenter Apprenticeship student with plans to graduate from her program this year. Originally from Park Falls, Wisconsin, Cassie has relocated to Spencer where she is employed at The Boson Company, Inc., in Marshfield. She especially enjoys that the work is never repetitive and that there is always something different to be doing in the field of construction. She enjoys rough framing, setting trusses, and finish work.

“A huge challenge to me was being the first female field worker in this company, but showing up with all of my own tools, being on time, and already having a background of knowledge through the years helped me stand out in the field quickly,” says Cassie.

Her advice to women entering the construction field is to start out small, with a good supportive crew, and work your way up if desired.
 

Kristin Mertes

Construction Trades, Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer, and Renewable Energy Technician

“I knew that each person was struggling with their own crisis due to the total loss of power, and I could help.”

Kristin is a 2022 Mid-State graduate of the Construction Trades, Heating, Ventilation, & Air Condition (HVAC), and Renewable Energy Technician programs. She is now employed by Christopher Electric in Mosinee, where she specializes in generator standby power. In her role, Kristin especially enjoys providing peace of mind to customers. In an electrical outage situation, Kristin assists customers to ensure they have all the necessities needed no matter how long utility power may be unavailable.

“I chose this field after I saw the storm damage that left many people with flooded basements or no way to get water, save their food, or heat their homes,” she says. “I knew that each person was struggling with their own crisis due to the total loss of power, and I could help with a backup solution during those hard times until it could be restored. Every job to rebuild their lives back to normal is important.” 

Kristin hopes to inspire women to know that we are all capable and strong enough to build any construction project. “Look around you,” she says. “Everything was made by someone. Now the future structures are made by you.”

Emily Simonis

Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer

“I knew I was right for this career when I was able to confidently walk into a room with very few girls.”

Emily is a current Construction Trades and Heating, Ventilation, & Air Condition (HVAC) Installer student with plans to graduate in May 2023. She is excited to begin her career after graduation and meet new people on job sites. Emily’s family always encouraged her to be independent. She found this boost of independence from the field of construction, where she learned to build things on her own. Though in a male-dominated field, Emily proved herself through hard work and speaking up when needed.

“I knew I was right for this career when I was able to confidently walk into a room with very few girls,” says Emily. “I knew I chose the right path when I could pick up a tool with very few questions asked and do what was assigned to me.”

Her advice to women entering the construction field is to just do it. Diverse perspectives are important in construction, and “your opinion could change the whole operation,” she says.
 

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