Lexi Barnett Senior Project Engineer | Shook Construction Company

I wouldn’t say there’s just one person who has been the most influential in my career. Instead, I’m incredibly grateful for the small but strong support system I have – my family, friends, fiancé, and colleagues who have encouraged, motivated, and stood by me throughout my journey. One person who played a particularly meaningful role was my college professor. He encouraged me to switch my career path to Construction Management. He believed in me before I believed in myself. Without his influence, I don’t think I’d be where I am today, doing the work I love and truly enjoy every moment of it. 

My first job in construction was also my first internship with a construction company. I worked on a renovation and addition project for high school in the Columbus area, and I learned so much during that experience. The hardest part of that summer was not being able to see the project reach completion. But five years later, everything came full circle when I got to watch my nephew play in a basketball tournament inside the very gym I helped build. Moments like that remind me why our industry is so meaningful. The most important part of what we do is seeing the people who benefit from the buildings we create. Knowing that our work impacts communities for years to come is what makes this field so rewarding. There’s nothing like driving past a building and being able to say, “I helped build that.”  

One misconception that still comes up is the idea that women in construction are only suited for certain roles. In reality, women contribute across every part of the industry and bring the same range of skills, experience, work ethic, and perspectives as anyone else on the team. 
 

I think women bring so many great strengths to the construction industry. We’re strong communicators and collaborators, which help keep projects running smoothly. Women also tend to approach problem solving with creativity and flexibility, bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives to the table.  

Trust your abilities and be confident! Don’t hesitate to speak up or share your ideas, because your perspective and expertise bring so much value. Stay true to who you are. There’s so much opportunity in this industry, and there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Let’s keep shaping the industry and driving change together!