A big yellow crane takes center stage at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Seventh grader Khadija Talib from Lesher Middle School in Fort Collins steps into the seat, ready to learn the ropes of operating this mighty machine. With a firm grip on the controls, she swings the crane's arm and scores a perfect "goal"! The operators cheer with excitement. Talib is just one of the 1,700 girls who attended the annual Transportation and Construction GIRL Day. This event, organized by women for women, aims to inspire them to consider careers in the transportation and construction industries.

Unique Experience Beyond the Classroom

Talib describes this field trip as unlike any other she's been on. "It's interactive. It's not just sitting in a classroom being taught. We actually get to try out these things," she says. At the event, leaders in hot pink hard hats guide the students to nearly 70 interactive exhibits. Girls have the chance to operate a crane, drill plywood onto a wall, and weld metal pieces together. Angie Diaz, a sales representative from Arvada Rent-Alls, witnessed the girls stepping out of their comfort zones. "At first, some were hesitant, but once they saw others trying, they were eager to give it a go," she notes.

Impact on Career Choices

The event not only provides a fun experience but also leads girls to think about their high school classes and future careers. Talib is still unsure about working in construction due to the loud noises, but she realizes the profession is more open to her. "It seems like a men's job, but many women would enjoy it too," she says. Last year, only 0.3 percent of the craft industry in Colorado was made up of women working in hands-on construction or extraction jobs. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reports that around 37,000 women worked in the construction industry last year, but these numbers include various jobs, not just hands-on ones. Keller Hayes, the founder of Transportation and Construction GIRL, emphasizes the importance of reaching young girls early. "Otherwise, they won't even consider this industry," she says.

Challenges and Stereotypes

Even when young women attend trade-related classes in college, old stereotypes persist. Christina Zavislan, who works for Mortenson in Denver, was the only woman in a 400-student construction design class. She faced discrimination from the teacher, who questioned her presence. Maja Rosenquist, now a senior vice president at Mortenson, remembers the gender-based questions she received when she started in the industry. "It was more about whether I could handle it rather than my skills," she says. However, Zavislan believes having women on a construction site is valuable for bringing a creative perspective.

Diversifying the Workforce

Mortenson is working to diversify its workforce. The latest numbers show 11 percent of the company's hands-on workers are women, and Rosenquist aims to increase this percentage. Many construction groups are offering financial incentives to attract more women. Mortenson provides an apprenticeship program where participants can work on a job site, earn a full salary and benefits, and pay for their schooling at night. Sela Martinez, an intern at RockSol Consulting Group, got her start in construction through home improvement projects with her dad. She initially thought collecting rocks was just a hobby until she participated in a career week. Now, she's a senior at the Colorado School of Mines, on track to become a geotechnical engineer. "There's so much more to construction than I realized," she says.

Future Aspirations

Back at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, the Transportation and Construction GIRL Day is coming to an end, but the girls' dreams are just beginning. From tiling and architecture to building tiny homes, the Lesher Middle School students are brainstorming their career options. One classmate mentions drywall work, inspired by her dad's tiny house building. Another, Avery W., wants to build tiny homes too. No matter their choice, these women construction leaders are determined to keep the spark alive for future generations.