Celebrating International Women's Month!
I AM CONSTRUCTION - Laura Soma
By Laura Soma, LEED AP BD+C, Project Manager + Sustainability Specialist | GLY
A long time ago I had a part time job at a restaurant and barely had a high school diploma. I was able to interview for an administrative position with a local contractor, GLY Construction, and I got the job.
Within a year I officially had the construction bug and wanted to learn more. I did some research and found the CTS (Construction Technical Skills) course at the AGC. I went on to get my Certificate in Construction Management through the University of Washington. Drafting, math, and AutoCAD classes soon followed. Around that time, a GLY colleague encouraged me to complete my Associates Degree. Once complete, another colleague suggested I have a “thing” – A Thing? An extra-curricular, professional focus. Sustainability seemed the obvious choice, as my passion for it had grown over the years.
It has been 23 years since I started my career in construction at GLY. I worked full time all throughout my schooling, taking classes nights and weekends, with GLY’s support along the way. I have been a Project Engineer, Sr. Project Engineer and am now a Project Manager + Sustainability Specialist. What this has taught me is that women belong in construction. We are detail oriented and have been multi-tasking most of our lives. We work hard and take pride in our work. Construction is one industry that allows us to work smarter, make a truly livable wage and make a difference in our communities and the built environment. One of the toughest guys I know is a woman - only 4’-11”tall and 110lbs. What are you waiting for? You deserve a life you can be proud of, and you can get it in the construction industry.
Come join me.
Laura Soma, LEED AP BD+C, Project Manager + Sustainability Specialist | GLY |
c: 206.227.1058 | laura.soma@gly.com / www.gly.com
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