Clark exec urges new workers to view career climb as a ‘jungle gym instead of a ladder’

This post is a person in a series of conversations with women of all ages leaders in the construction sector. Click here for earlier discussions.

Andree Yaap has worked in the construction market for 23 several years, which include the past 6 several years with Bethesda, Maryland-based mostly Clark Design Group, where she is a preconstruction govt for the Mid-Atlantic region. In this role, she works with inside groups, customers, design associates and trade contractors to coordinate the preparing, execution, structure administration, scheduling and price administration of tasks.

Right here, Development Dive talks with Yaap (pictured previously mentioned, suitable) about what led her to decide on a profession in building and some of her most loved assignments.

What led you to pick out building for your career?  

I graduated with a degree in civil engineering and think about myself both equally a dilemma-solver and a “people particular person”, so development appeared like the excellent match for me. I was correct!

The construction marketplace is remarkable, difficult, and satisfying. Every single day is different than the past, and there is never a dull moment. The marketplace calls for frequent issue-fixing and collaboration to produce on our jobs effectively.

There is certainly also some thing indescribable about seeing some others profit from the initiatives we construct.

What are a couple of of the initiatives you’ve most enjoyed functioning on and why?  

I have the possibility to perform on some of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most sophisticated healthcare assignments as element of my job. Last year, I was part of the group that delivered the University of Maryland Capital Region Clinical Centre challenge. From inception, we experienced a fantastic strategy in put and finally turned above the facility to our customer in advance of program despite the impacts of COVID-19. The venture is a game-changer for the location and brings a lot-desired health care to the Prince George’s County local community.

A different undertaking I’ve been fortuitous more than enough to perform on is the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Medical/Surgical Pavilion challenge. It is on a constrained web-site on an energetic college and healthcare campus in Washington, D.C. Owing to its site, our staff labored closely with undertaking stakeholders during venture growth to evaluate methods to regulate the circulation of pupils, sufferers, and people, and decrease disruptions to the neighborhood.

One remedy our workforce came up with was to prefabricate features off website, like 156 toilet pods. Past month, our crew installed the to start with rest room pods at the healthcare facility. It was terrific to see all of our really hard operate arrive to fruition.   

What information would you give to youthful females contemplating construction as a vocation? 

“When prospect knocks, swing that doorway large open up!”

I explain to the youthful individuals I function with to look at their professions as a “jungle gymnasium” as a substitute of a ladder. It’s vital to look for out and run to possibilities that will enable acquire competencies that you can get across titles and roles.

My philosophy is that the far more encounters you can get alongside your journey, the far better off you will be when you arrive at the place.