Project manager's great professional advice to young women in construction: 'Just do it'
As a project manager at Portland, Oregon-based R&H Construction, 29-year-old Sarah Jimenez is running a new $19 million ground-up addiction treatment center in Southeast Portland.
Jimenez, who holds a construction management degree from California Polytechnic State University, began working as a project manager at R&H in 2018.
What do you do in your current job?
SARAH JIMENEZ: I’m a project manager. In this role, I am one of the project leads and work hand in hand with our superintendent to manage and execute the project. I prioritize relationship building with subcontractors and our client, and ensure we have product on site. We’re currently working on a new ground-up facility for De Paul Treatment Center, a drug and alcohol treatment center scheduled to be completed late this summer.
What led you to choose construction for your career?
I walked into a college seminar that was discussing careers in construction. I loved the idea of being a part of a team, building something large and tangible. I wanted to have a part in something that I could point to years from now and say “I did that.”
What project have you most enjoyed working on and why?
I’ve really enjoyed my current project at the treatment center, because of the team I am working with. This is the first project where every lead is female, including me, the client representative, the architect and the interior designer. Interestingly as well, we all are named Sarah so we call ourselves “the Four Sarahs.”
What professional advice would you give to young women considering construction as a career?
Just do it. If you feel you are ready, and are ready, don’t limit yourself.
