Despite hurtling through the 21st Century at warp-speed with progress being made in every possible way, it’s still rare to spot a female bricklayer.
Similarly, some women react with shock when it turns out their midwife is six-foot tall, bearded Brian.
Construction is a prime example of an industry that struggles with gender inclusivity.
Estimates suggest the number of women working in the sector sits at just under 13%. Alongside technology, agriculture and the car industry, it’s one of the highest in terms of male dominance.
But a little thing like gender stereotyping should never be an obstacle to your dream career.
To help motivate you to pick up your tools and get stuck into construction with confidence, here are five women paving the way in were once viewed as typically masculine industries.
Margaret Hamilton
If you haven’t already seen it, check out the picture of computer scientist and systems engineer Margaret Hamilton standing next to the navigation software code she wrote for the Apollo Mission. Wowser! As well as working for NASA, being CEO of her own company and honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Margaret is also the coolest octogenarian on earth. How so? Last year she was immortalised as a LEGO figurine, for their Women of NASA series. Hers is a career worthy of the term stratospheric!
Karren Brady
The Apprentice star and all-round super achiever, Baroness Brady is the former MD of Birmingham City FC and current vice-chairperson of West Ham United. Taking the helm at Birmingham aged just 23. Her consistent success makes her one of the UK’s most eminent and influential business personalities.
Kathryn Bigelow
American writer, director and producer Bigelow boasts an impressive CV, including being the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director – notably beating her ex-husband James Cameron to pick up the coveted award. Discussing the lack of female film-makers in Hollywood, Kathryn has said: “It’s a travesty. I feel like it’s trending in the right direction, but it’s painfully slow.”
Susie Wolff
Not slow is Scottish speed queen Susie a former F1 racing driver. In 2014 she made history as the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend for more than 22 years. Her illustrious career in the fast lane saw her awarded an MBE for her services to Women in Sport in 2017.
If you’re feeling inspired by these success stories and are determined to build your own career in Construction, have a look at all the latest vacancies on s1jobs.