Brittany is working as a grade checker for Reed. She’s going to learn each position on the job so she can become foreman. She does her interview during a short break from work, smiling into the camera in the sun. The wind blows her blonde hair and she’s wearing a burgundy knit cap and a high-viz jacket, holding a grading pole, exuding confidence and joy.
Before being a grader she was an operator, and before that she was a dog groomer-and-bather. She woke up one day and realized she wanted to go into construction, so she altered course. She looks up to her dad, who’s been a foreman for more years than she can count. Her mom and sister both got into construction on account of her dad, and as she says “now it’s my turn.”
Brittany likes her work because every single day brings something different. Different scenery, different pieces of equipment. And with construction, she doesn’t feel like there’s a glass ceiling trapping her at a certain level. “I’m treated like one of the guys– it’s no different,” and adds “we kind of have a brother-sister thing going on. You gotta learn to do what they can do, work hard to prove yourself, like anywhere else.”
For Brittany, the challenge of being in the industry is an invitation to get stronger; to learn more–and the reward is the confidence gained along the way. “When I first started working here it was the confidence level of — I’m working with a bunch of men – how am I gonna live up to their standards and work at the same level they do!?” But digging into the work proved to her that she is up for the challenge.
Back to all stories
