Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
What 3 local women love about working in construction—a field rich with opportunities
Reading time: 5 minutes
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On February 15, 2024, Governor Kay Ivey issued a proclamation that declared March 3 through March 9 “Women in Construction Week” in Alabama.
Bham Now interviewed three women in the construction industry to learn why they love their careers.
March 3-9 is officially “Women in Construction Week” 🎉
- What: Women in Construction Week — A week to celebrate the role of women in an industry historically dominated by men, promoted by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) since 1998.
- When: Sunday, March 3 — Saturday, March 9
Held each year during the first full week of March, WIC Week encourages them to make presentations to high school classes, take interested students on job site tours and more.
Now, thanks to Governor Ivey’s recent proclamation, Women in Construction Week is an officially recognized event here in Alabama.
Why these Birmingham women love construction
Jessica Pabalate — Corporate Safety Manager
As you can imagine, safety is the #1 priority on any construction site. Luckily, Doster Construction can rely on the expertise and discerning eye of Jessica Pabalate.
As a Corporate Safety Manager, Jessica visits different job sites each day to look out for any potential issues and to make sure everyone is taking necessary precautions.
“One of the things I look out for is that everyone is wearing their personal protection equipment (PPE)—their hard hats, safety glasses, safety vests and more. I love that my job allows me to be outside, interact with different project teams and see the progress as our projects come together.”
Jessica Pabalate, Corporate Safety Manager, Doster Construction
Jessica began her construction career as a receptionist and quickly climbed the corporate ladder, thanks to Doster Construction’s professional training programs and her knack for asking questions.
“Construction is a great field to be in, and my only regret is that I didn’t break into the industry sooner. I would encourage any other women thinking about a career in construction to go for it. Be yourself, be confident, ask questions and learn everything you can!”
Jessica Pabalate, Corporate Safety Manager, Doster Construction
Doster Construction is hiring—apply today.
Rachael Meigs — Manager of Client Services
Rachael Meigs discovered her passion for construction during a high school mission trip to Guatemala, where her grandfather put her in charge of wiring electrical outlets on a house.
Now, she’s making big strides in her career as Manager of Client Services for Doster Construction.
“When people hear the word ‘construction,’ they typically think of boots on the ground. Meaning, those who perform the actual labor in the field. What most don’t realize is that it takes a fairly substantial office staff to help those in the field succeed. We’re all one unit working to serve the client to the best of our ability.”
Rachael Meigs, Manager of Client Services, Doster Construction
In her nearly six-year career with Doster Construction, Rachael worked in several roles before finding her calling in client services.
“In this day and age, being a woman in construction is becoming more common and acceptable. However, when I was new to the industry, I did feel as though I had to prove myself more than my male counterparts.
As long as you’re forward in your thinking and truly know what you’re talking about, then the sky is the limit.”
Rachael Meigs, Manager of Client Services, Doster Construction
Haley Williams — Project Engineer
Just like Rachael, Haley Williams attributes her passion for construction to her grandfather, a contractor who shared his knowledge with Haley throughout her childhood.
In college, Haley studied civil engineering and participated in two internships before joining the Doster team.
“Doster Construction places a real emphasis on continued education, no matter what point you’re at in your career.
They host monthly training sessions on a variety of topics, from elements of pre-construction to soft skills like leadership and how to be personable. These are all skills that we can utlize throughout our careers—and throughout our lives.”
Haley Williams, Project Engineer, Doster Construction
In her role as Project Engineer, Haley helps plan, design and develop a variety of projects for Doster.
“If construction is something you’re passionate about, don’t let preconcieved notions or stereotypes prohibit you from chasing your dreams.”
Haley Williams, Project Engineer, Doster Construction
Grow your career with Doster Construction
Construction is a wide, all-encompassing field teeming with opportunities.
“To me, the best parts of working at Doster are the culture and the people. They understand that ‘work’ and ‘life’ aren’t separate buckets. As long as you’re working hard and putting in the time needed to get your job done, you’ll succeed!”
Rachael Meigs, Manager of Client Services, Doster Construction
Want to learn more? Visit the Doster Construction website to learn why these employees love what they do.
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