On Thursday, June 25, Miron Construction Co., Inc. welcomed 28 female students to its Neenah headquarters for its 10th annual Build Like a Girl event. On Thursday, July 23, 16 girls were welcomed to the Miron Marquette office and Northern Michigan University’s campus. For the last ten years, this day-long program has introduced hundreds of seventh through 10th grade girls to the world of construction through hands-on experiences, breaking down the stereotypes that revolve around the male-dominated industry.
These free events gave girls interested in the trades the opportunity to connect with women in the industry, learn about construction education and career paths, and explore activities that provided a real-world glimpse into the trades while building confidence.
The program in Neenah encompassed Miron craftspeople by mentoring participants through multiple hands-on activity stations at Miron’s Yard Operations. The stations included equipment operation – where the girls operated a crane and boom lift; masonry – where they used their hands and advanced technology to build a brick wall; carpentry – where they constructed a wooden media station that they kept; concrete – where they poured a steppingstone; steel and precast – where the girls connected steel beams; and virtual construction – where they viewed a project’s plans virtually.
In Marquette, Miron craftspeople walked participants through multiple hands-on activity stations at a project site – masonry, where they constructed a brick wall; carpentry, where they assembled buddy benches; and equipment operation, where they experienced what it’s like to operate heavy machinery like a scissors lift. The students also took an educational tour at Northern Michigan University, exploring spaces that Miron has helped build including Jamrich Hall, the Career & Engineering Technology Facility, the Health & WellBeing Center, and the Glenn T. Seaborg Science Center.
“The tenth anniversary of Build Like a Girl reflects a decade of meaningful progress in introducing young women to opportunities within the construction industry,” said Dave Walsh, executive vice president of human resources for Miron Construction. “By creating early exposure and hands-on experiences, we’re helping female students see what’s possible and envision a place for themselves in construction or skilled trades. At Miron, we are passionate about investing in emerging talent in our communities and remain committed to doing our part to close the gender gap across the construction industry.”
To learn more, visit mironbuildlikeagirl.com.
To see photos from the event, visit:
To see media coverage from the event, visit:
- 10th annual “Build Like a Girl” event held in Neenah
- Thirty girls explore construction careers at Miron’s ‘Build Like a Girl’ event
- Miron to host its 10th Build Like a Girl event in Menasha
- Girls in the Upper Peninsula Gain Hands On Construction Experience Through Build Like a Girl Event
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