Women in Construction Week, March 7th - 13th, 2021
In honor of Women in Construction Week, we are pleased to take this opportunity to highlight three JD Development Group staff, including our very own President & CEO, Julia Zhang.
Women make up a larger percentage of the Canadian construction workforce each year. Job sites that have been stuck in the past are evolving, as companies, governments, and industry groups focus on inclusivity.
We want to thank all the Women in Construction who have led the way and continue to make a path for others to join the industry!
How long have you been in the industry?
11 years
How did you become interested in the construction industry?
I did not plan to do this. I have always had an interest in good real estate and owning good real estate. But I could not find good real estate so I said, “let’s build one.” I have always been an entrepreneur and I was compelled to satisfy a need for something that was missing in the market at the time.
What challenges have you personally faced or seen women face in the industry and what do you think needs to be done to encourage a shift?
The challenges are tremendous. This is a very competitive and difficult industry for everyone. We face challenges every day. We must make difficult decisions every day.
I can see that construction does not only require physical strength, and of course, females can also do the heavy lifting, but construction also requires mental strength, a lot of thinking, and focusing on the details. Construction involves designs, project management, strategic decision making, and management - there are many areas of focus and specialization.
What do you believe has contributed to your success in the industry?
I am very interested in building real estate that is affordable and provides above-average living conditions. This is and has always been our mission. Although happy with what we have achieved so far, there is still a long road ahead. We are committed to this mission daily.
What would you say to a woman who is interested in starting a career in the construction industry?
It is a very challenging industry. Be prepared for the challenges, be persistent, be resilient to the downside. The entry-point for the construction industry is diverse, pick an entry point that interests you. It can be a designer, architect, or business owner, an entrepreneur.
How long have you been in the industry?
Over 25 years, with more than 20 years in Canada alone.
How did you become interested in the construction industry?
I have always known that my interests and strengths are in anything related to management. After graduation, I chose to work on a construction site vs. in the office. That is how I started my career in construction management/ project management.
What I like the most about construction is the process, which has a lot of ups and downs. But when you come through it, there is a sense of achievement and pride that comes with successfully completing a project.
What challenges have you personally faced or seen women face in the industry and what do you think needs to be done to encourage a shift?
As a woman, working in a traditionally male-dominated industry is not easy. If you want to be recognized and be successful, you will need to put in extra long hours, extra effort, and extra hard work. What we need are equal opportunities. Over the last 20 years, I have witnessed a lot of changes seeing more and more women facing and taking on various roles, and they are successful in this industry. The industry going forward can continue to be built on and by strong women leaders in the industry.
What do you believe has contributed to your success in the industry?
Everyone who has worked with me closely knows ‘Jennifer is tough, but she is very fair’.
To be a successful project manager, you need a few qualities. You need to be strong technically, you need excellent communications skills, which day to day life is built on, determination and a can-do attitude in your work and towards the people, you work with; always thinking outside the box and a willingness to learn will be the key to your success.
What would you say to a woman who is interested in starting a career in the construction industry?
Construction is full of challenges and every project is unique and different. There are various roles within the industry. Give yourself a chance to try on different roles and opportunities, it will provide you with a better understanding of how the industry works, build an experience around that. It will eventually land you where you most suited.
Hard work will always pay off. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for a job well done can be perceived for many years to come, especially so in this industry.
How long have you been in the industry?
I have been engaged in land use planning and development for the past 25 years. Predominantly within the public sector, I have worked in municipal development planning, urban design, and regeneration both in the UK and in Ontario.
How did you become interested in the construction industry?
My passion and commitment come from a heartfelt belief that everyone should have a safe place to live; and importantly, the choice about how and where they live that is sustainable in the broadest sense. It is important for me to work in a field that helps deliver homes where people feel a sense of place and belonging, that garners respect for fellow citizens and for the environment. So that we can live safe, connected, fulfilling lives in a way that does not unduly impact the environment, combats urban sprawl, celebrates diversity, and ensures equity. This desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives and the built and natural environment led me to a BA Honors Degree in Town & Country Planning at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a career in land use planning.
What challenges have you personally faced or seen women face in the industry and what do you think needs to be done to encourage a shift?
Throughout my career, I have often been the only woman at a meeting or on-site. It is easy to feel like an imposter in work-place settings that have not traditionally welcomed women; was I there to get the coffee or take notes?
During discussions, I am deliberate about what I say and how I provide input so that my voice is not lost, but that my carefully considered words carry meaning and influence. I draw strength from the knowledge that, as a woman, I bring a different perspective and a level of detail to a project that adds insight and value.
It is important that women in this industry today are visible - not just to empower other women to make strides in the sector, but also to signal to men that we belong in this space too, and the space needs to be appropriate for us all. Women leading construction meetings, chairing industry boards, and holding executive management positions need to be the norm. I think the shift is slowly happening in the board room, but I suspect there is a long way to go on the construction site.
What do you believe has contributed to your success in the industry?
Building successful multi-disciplinary relationships and partnerships across all sectors, this has been key to my success. I take time to collaborate and value everyone’s perspective; if we aim to build for a diverse community, we need diversity to inform the direction. I have been fortunate to have worked for several inspiring female leaders, as well as having male allies. I have also had the courage to challenge assumptions and question practices, which often drive efficiency, quality, and inclusivity. This sounds pretty serious, but I also have a wicked sense of humor, which helps a lot!
What would you say to a woman who is interested in starting a career in the construction industry?
When you find a path that you feel passionate about, let that passion shine through and commit to being the best you can be. Develop the required skill set, allow lived experience to guide how you accomplish your career goals, and draw strength and insight from every situation, including the ones that did not go so well. While women still need to demonstrate performance in this sector more than men, we are not afraid to ask for help and do things differently, making us very good at what we do - whether in negotiation, project management, design, construction, sales, customer service, women have an eye for detail and care about quality. See yourself where you want to be a few years from now, channel your passion and seek allies to support your journey.
Choose To Challenge!