In celebration of Women in Construction Week, we are highlighting stories from some of the most influential and groundbreaking women in the industry. In today’s post, we speak with Maria DiTommaso, Corporate Risk and Contract Manager at BOND Brothers, Inc.

How did you get started in the construction industry?

After graduating college, like most new graduates, I began my job search across the Northeast and specifically in Boston. I actually googled “Top 10 Companies to work for in Boston” and out of those results, I applied and interviewed at the companies that aligned with my interests, principles and open positions. I found myself in the construction industry just as quickly as I started to interview and although not a traditional route most take to start a career in construction, I haven’t looked back once. 

What challenges do you face being a woman in the industry?

One of my biggest challenges is something I’m faced with every day in my role as a Risk Manager, not just as a woman in the industry. BOND operates in a parent subsidiary structure, therefore requiring me to service three separate subsidiaries all with different needs, on different deadlines, requiring different solutions. It is a daily challenge to ensure that all of the project operations team members are getting what they need from me. More than anything, I must be adaptable and prepared to reprioritize requests as they come in from different subsidiaries while also making sure I set realistic expectations. The challenge to reprioritize, communicate effectively, and successfully manage my time is without a doubt the biggest daily obstacle I face in my role, but one I do my best to overcome to ensure our project operations teams are satisfied and fulfilled with the product they are receiving from me at the end of the day.

What advice would you give to women wanting to break into the construction industry?

Be "be too much." There are too many situations that we hear of women in the industry having to mute themselves to reach certain milestones as they strive to break corporate and societal glass ceilings and of women conforming to a company's idea of what success looks like. In the construction industry we hear of this all too often and I’ve been witness to it myself, seeing women break themselves to fit a certain mold. I'm thankful to have colleagues and leaders that surround me with encouragement to be nothing but myself. I would encourage women entering the construction industry not to silence themselves and instead, be too much. Be too eager, too ambitious, too dedicated, too hard working, too energetic, too motivated and too determined. Commit to yourself and the industry, to always stand by what you believe in, and continue to "be too much".