Women In Construction Week – Megan Jackson

Megan Jackson | Carpenter

“I bring unique skills to my job as an excellent carpenter. I just happen to be a woman too.”

Why did you get into the construction industry?

When I was really young, I wanted to be a train conductor, actually. But when I was 7, I started skateboarding. I was the only girl out there. We would skate until the ramps began to break, which is when I started learning how to fix them. It was really interesting to me. My stepdad was in construction as well and always included me when fixing up things around the house. By the time I was in high school, I started taking classes to learn more about the building trades.

Why did you choose to work at Martin Horn?

I actually started through a temp service. Pam [our General Superintendent & Safety Director] noticed me and liked the way I did things. She offered me a position full-time and I’ve been here ever since.

What unique skills do you bring to your job as a woman?

I bring unique skills to my job as an excellent carpenter. I just happen to be a woman too.

Are there women who inspired you along the way? Who?

My mom was a huge inspiration to me. For part of my life, she was a single mother to my brothers, my sister and me. She played the role of both a mom and a dad. She didn’t represent a stereotype or a gender norm. She was able to do it all, which taught me that I could too. I didn’t think twice about being the only girl at the skatepark, because she had never made me feel like it was something to think twice about.

What career advice do you have for younger women interested in construction?

No matter what everyone says, go for it. If this is what you want to do, you should do it. Women have to work harder to get the same opportunities that men do, but I believe that you can be so good at your job that they stop noticing what gender you are.

Why do you think women should work in construction?

The world won’t change until they do. The world will continue to think construction is just for men, until they start to see women in those roles. It will change everyone’s minds about what jobs women can and can’t do. And that could change the world.