McKinstry’s Rebecca Fitzsimmons on Building Impactful Teams

I came into this position through a circuitous route. My degree was in architecture, and I had intentions to be an architect. However, after I earned my degree, the economy wasn’t the greatest, so I ended up participating in AmeriCorps for a year and took on roles in some varied construction-adjacent fields. Following this, I applied for a variety of positions at McKinstry and once I got the job, I didn’t look back. Being here just works for me.

I’m able to take the history and experience I have and apply it every day to problem solving in the field. I appreciate the fast pace when working with our field crews and our general contracting partners. I find a lot of joy in getting the job done in partnership with our internal and external coworkers.

When we complete a project successfully, it makes it easier to sell the next one. So, success for me is having a team that works together — both internally and with our partners — to execute a project that the end user is happy with.

Finding solutions is the most rewarding part of this work. From coming up with a conceptual plan to developing the proposal to executing the project, you’re constantly faced with addressing challenges. There are so many moving parts in construction, and I thrive in stepping up to the challenge of keeping everything moving forward and working towards the common goal of completing the project. Working with my teammates to face difficult challenges and figure out solutions is what I really love about this job day in and day out. I also enjoy having a tangible thing I helped create as the end work product. We literally get to build the cities we live in; how cool is that!

Women in Construction Week means visibility. It brings attention to the fact that women are active in all parts and levels of the construction industry and shows others any position is available to you as a woman. Additionally, it shows that as an industry, we have room to grow with our workforce diversity.

I hope that women will feel just as valued and important in their roles as their male counterparts and that they know whatever positions they want to hold in this industry are open to them.

I want everyone at Mckinstry and beyond to know that if you work together — whether it’s completing a project or packing food — you’re going to grow your bonds and relationships with each other, complete a project and feel proud. I hope to inspire people to be good teammates and work together towards accomplishing shared goals.