National steel builder Lexicon celebrated Women in Construction Week, taking the time to showcase the women who work in the construction field.
Construction is a male-dominated industry that has seen a growth in business, but has also seen a growth in women in the industry. The women at Lexicon at their headquarters in Little Rock are paving the way for future generations.
“Lexicon is at 11% women now, which, you know, typically, you’d hear that number and you think, oh my gosh, that’s not, but that’s a huge improvement from where we’ve been. It’s exciting to see women get excited to know that they don’t have to step into teaching healthcare, some of the other rules that they can use their hands, that they can have a craft, that they can be out there shoulder to shoulder with the men, and still hold their own,” Brumbaugh said.
May is the recruiting manager at Lexicon. She said that she has seen an increase in women who are interested in coming to the company and participating in the programs it offers. But she also says that it’s being a woman is an asset to her job.
“I think that I excel in my role because I am able to see construction from the perspective of a woman, and how we fit, how the skills that we just naturally have as women like being detail oriented, being persistent, and making sure that projects are completed. My ability to be able to see that and be able to project that through my messaging as a recruiting manager is beneficial and helpful to the company,” May said.
Brumbaugh is the Director of Training and Development and said that her being in the role she is now is unique to Lexicon.
“We’re a male-dominated industry, and so typically, when you think about construction, you’re thinking about men out in the field. Me being in this role, I think it surprises people sometimes, just because I oversee, like the trades training, I think leadership development is probably pretty common to have a woman over leadership development, but to have a woman over our trade’s development is unusual,” Brumbaugh said.
Mitchell started inputting data for the steel company 22 years ago. Since then, she has been recently promoted to the director of production control and material management, now supervising other women.
“I’m honored, and I’m proud to be where I am, and I’m proud to work for a company whose allowed me to get where I am. I’ve got plenty of women under me, and I’m mentoring them every day,” Mitchell said.
And for Mitchell, now mentoring the next generation of women in the industry, she said it’s a full-circle moment.
“I’ve got another girl working for me that she literally just said to me the other day. She’s like, I want your job one day. And I said, it’s yours. Just come get it,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said that while going into a male-dominated field might be intimidating, your work ethic means more.
“This is hard work, and if you have good work ethic and you’re willing to learn, there is definitely a place for you here,” Mitchell said.
