I began my career working in private lettings as a Property Manager, before moving into social housing for a local authority in Devon in 2013 as a Repairs Advisor. Having told my manager that one day I wanted to become a Surveyor (he had doubts if he was honest), I worked my way up through the available roles. I completed my CIH Level 3 alongside my job until a position became available in 2017 for a Surveyor. The same manager I had expressed my career aspirations to, was delighted when he was able to offer me the role. I was the first, and to this day, the only female surveyor they have had.
I’d heard excellent things about what was then Yarlington and always kept an eye out for available roles. I was lucky enough to be offered a role in 2020 and have never looked back. Matthew, my manager, has done a great deal in mentoring me, as have the rest of the team and other departments for which I am thankful. It has allowed me to progress onto working on disrepair cases which I really enjoy.
Being a woman in a typically male dominated role does have its challenges. I often feel I must work twice as hard as my male counterparts to ensure that people feel I can do my job well. It feels at times that because I am a minority in a heavily male dominated environment, I don’t have the option to make the same mistakes as others as I worry people will blame that on the fact, I am a woman (silly I know).
And still to this day, I knock on customers doors, and get ‘oh I was expecting a man’. The stigma around women, and often women my age, can make it difficult. It took a while for me to be taken seriously when I first expressed my interest in these types of roles but the support of some excellent managers along the way has made it possible.
For any woman who has a passion or desire to work in a field that’s male dominated, I say break the mould! I know its cliché, but our gender should never define what we are able to do. We have some truly aspirational women that work here, juggling all manner of things in their private lives. It is possible to have a family, if you want one, and to still have that same career drive and aspiration as others.
I’ve been with Abri for just over 4 months. Redundancy in 2020 gave me the chance to rethink my career and make a change (definitely for the better)! I was lucky enough to have a career in merchandising for a large footwear company previously, but I have always had a passion for electrics (I do all the DIY in my own house!) and studied for my level 2 whilst working another job full time in 2020/2021.
Being a female in the male dominated trade environment has had its challenges; people not thinking I have the practical skills to do the job, people thinking the job is too messy or tough physically for me but, in general, and especially at Abri, the reception has been of respect and encouragement. People want to see change in the industry and can see the benefits of a female perspective and that's been so refreshing.
I think the only way things will truly change is to encourage more girls, from a young age, into STEM subjects. I think also having great role models helps, if girls can see other girls/women being super successful in jobs not necessary thought of as a stereotypical 'female' then they know they can do it too. When I took my first steps to changing career I sought these women out, spoke to them about their challenges and opportunities, what they would have done differently or tell their younger selves and that reassured me I was on the right track. There's a community of strong, incredible tradeswomen on Instagram (not just sparks!) and they have been a huge source of knowledge, encouragement and hope in my journey so far.
If I was to give one piece of advice to anyone thinking about getting into a male dominated profession, I’d say: if someone says you can't or shouldn't do something then show them exactly why you can! Nobody knows you better than you and sometimes a leap of faith is just what's needed to change your life for the better. They say you regret not doing something more than you ever regret doing it, so make that jump!
