Women in Construction Week is March 8th – 12th. To celebrate, we are sharing the stories of the women of Bauer Design Build and their career in the construction industry.
Kelley Egan-Wittrock
Project Engineer III
How did you get into the construction industry?
I started by studying architecture in college. I knew I didn’t want to end up there, but I wanted to continue to work with buildings and development. I ended up with a job as a leasing agent for a company that built and managed apartment buildings and transitioned over to their construction side as a project assistant within my first year there.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently in your career?
I wish I would have started sooner! I love the people and fast pace of construction.
Janet Artmann
Operations Coordinator
Do you have any advice for young women pursuing careers in construction?
Be confident. Ask questions. Empower each other. Learn your job better than anyone else and trust yourself.
What are a few of the biggest differences in the industry from when you began your career in construction?
Technology is by far the biggest difference, when I first started out, I would have to stand at the fax machine for a day to send out bid invitations, make 20 sets of plans to rotate in and out to subcontractors, etc.
How did you get into the industry?
Fell into it. I was working for a plastic surgeon in Edina, had a bad scare w/icy roads and decided I needed to get a job closer to home. Ended up going to a temp. agency, which placed me at Shingobee Builders, where I stayed for 18 years.
Sarah Sandberg
Human Resources Manager
What educational background / professional training do you have?
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Human Resource Management. I am also OSHA 30 certified and continue to develop my knowledge and skills with various seminars and course work.
Do you have any advice for young women pursuing careers in construction?
Construction is a great industry to pursue a career in as there are so many different opportunities and career paths within the construction industry.
Paige Artmann
Project Coordinator
How did you get into the construction industry?
My entire family works in the construction industry so I have been around it for a long time. My mom and dad both work for general contractors and my brother is a heavy equipment operator.
Do you have any advice for young women pursuing careers in construction?
Ask questions! Asking questions helps you grow and learn and everyone is willing to explain.
Do you have a favorite mentor or someone who has helped you in the construction industry?
My favorite mentor is definitely my mom, she has helped me learn a lot in my first couple years in construction.
Emily Norman
Office Manager
Why did you start working in construction/take the position?
I was looking to do something completely different at a smaller company. Knowing Mike Bauer and after meeting just a few people at BDB during the interview process, I knew right away it was a perfect culture fit for me in a growing company.
What educational background / professional training do you have?
I have a degree in Applied Psychology with a minor in Human Relations. Though I’m no longer in that field, having that background has been extremely helpful in past roles and my current role as Office Manager.
Do you have any advice for young women pursuing careers in construction?
Go for it! Get a good education, stick with it, don’t be intimidated, trust yourself and have fun!