The first full week in March is National Women in Construction Week, an annual event that celebrates and recognizes the achievements of women in the construction industry. At FSG, we deeply appreciate the invaluable contributions of our female construction workers and are proud to celebrate their achievements. FSG wants to use this recognized week as an opportunity to draw attention to the underrepresented role women play in the construction industry and to encourage more women to pursue careers in this field.
Erin Pardoe is a lighting designer at NAC. Although she fell in love with architecture at a young age, it wasn’t until college that a traveling professor introduced her to architectural lighting design. Erin first worked for FSG in 2013, doing lighting photometrics. She left FSG in 2015 to work for a lighting design firm specializing in high-end hotels and resorts, which helped her further hone her skills. Erin returned to FSG in 2022 with a newfound passion for putting together a lighting project from start to finish, from schematic design all the way through pricing and installation.
One of the biggest challenges Erin has faced in her career in a male-dominated industry is being heard. She says, “Whether intentional or not, I have had to work hard to have some people respect and trust my design opinions.”
When reflecting on her career, she said, “FSG has been a great support over the duration of my lighting career. In 2013, FSG took a big chance on me (I had only one year of experience when I came to interview), and every time I asked for more training, they created opportunities for me to achieve my goals. Today, FSG fully supports me being a working mom with two small children.”
Erin is now giving back to younger women in the construction industry and loves walking alongside and mentoring recent college graduates as they begin their careers. Having worked for a rep agency, a distributor, and a lighting designer, she has the experience to mentor with advice and connections in all facets of the industry. When asked what advice she had for women in the construction industry, Erin said, “Don’t be afraid to have a voice. It took me several years to find my confidence and believe I could do my job well. Construction can be a tough industry, especially since it is considered a ‘man’s world,’ but being able to speak up when you feel you need to is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”
At FSG, we recognize the challenges women may face in this traditionally male-dominated industry, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for all our employees.
We believe in celebrating the important moments in our employees’ lives here at FSG. If you have a story about an employee or a project you’d like to see on FSG Resources, please share it! Whether it’s a personal achievement or a team accomplishment, we want to recognize and celebrate your successes. Reach out to Scott Delony, FSG Marketing Communications Manager, at [email protected] with stories, ideas, or questions!