Published 17 Sep 2024
S3. Ep 39. Talking with Ciara Ritchie about Breaking Barriers: A Young Woman’s Journey in the Construction Industry
Hey, Legends! Welcome to this episode of The Building Talks Podcast! This week we chat with Ciara Ritchie, a young construction professional in the early stages of her career in the industry. We often hear of the challenges younger professionals face early in their career, and we all recognise the shortage of female participation (and retention) within the Construction space, so this week, Ciara provided some insights, from her perspective.
In this episode, she opens up about her journey into construction, how the industry was presented to her as a career option, and what it’s been like working alongside more experienced (and often male) professionals. We dive into what she’s learned so far, her expectations, and her aspirations. For those of you keen to get a fresh perspective from someone at the beginning of their construction journey, this one’s for you.
We also discuss what it’s like being a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, and how the industry can evolve to better support diversity and inclusion. If you’re a more established male professional in the industry, this episode might give you some valuable insights into how to mentor and guide the next generation.
Tune in for an interesting and insightful conversation with Ciara—this one’s got something for everyone, whether you’re just starting out in construction or have been around for decades!
Key Takeaways:
- Limited exposure to construction careers during school
- Challenges for women in the industry, including safety concerns and gender-related issues
- Concerns about salary gaps and the need for more diversity in senior roles
- Finding mentors and building strong workplace relationships is key
- Addressing industry language and communication styles is important
- Listening to feedback from all levels helps create a positive environment for women in construction
- Resilience is vital, but it’s also important to recognise when the workplace culture isn’t right
- Companies promoting diversity and offering good benefits are more likely to attract and retain women
- More women are needed in the industry to bring fresh perspectives and mentor future generations
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor the guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
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Building Talks Podcast
Talking to professionals in construction, property development, architecture, and beyond.
