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In efforts to boost diversity and inclusion among the construction industry, Nancy Novak, the chief officer at Compass Datacenters, and Allison Scott, Director of Customer Experience and Industry Advocacy at Autodesk, discuss ways of standing out from the rest of the construction industry.
Although Scott did not take the traditional route to construction management, she found value in the different ways she can communicate and tell stories through her work. She learned early on “there was always something bigger going on than what was written on the page.” Scott strives to take bigger and abstract concepts and translate them in a way that lets more people gain a true understanding of the situation women face in the construction industry. This was implemented later on in the way she has been able to reach and impact various communities and clients in said industry.
Scott extends her wisdom to the youth population in the way she learned “you are more than just one thing”. Novak and Scott discuss the harsh reality of women still being underrepresented in the construction industry; ultimately there is more to a construction role than “muddy boots,” said Scott. Efforts to include and decrease stigmas are essential for producing strong leaders, as is making sure people feel safe and valuable, which is non-negotiable for companies. Additionally, companies are making strides from the “see something, say something movement.”
For people interested in getting started in the construction industry, Scott says doing research on companies locally and nationwide serves as a valuable start. “There’s innovation…overall it’s a tenant in most construction companies, because they recognize innovation isn’t just about technology, it’s about overall improving the way that we work.”
