Women in Construction Week: An Interview with Sianna Rodriguez​

We approached NV2A’s Controller Sianna Rodriguez. She is one of the company’s first and most loyal employees. We wanted to learn more about her in this Women in Construction Week.

Q: You are one of the first employees of NV2A. As a pioneer in the company, what has been some of your most rewarding experiences?

I think many people take for granted what it takes to start a new company.  It takes hard work and perseverance to build it from zero.  The most rewarding experience for me has been to be a part of how we started on the 15^th floor of our office building, just seven team members sharing offices, and now see NV2A Group become a leading construction management firm in South Florida in a short time. This thanks to the guidance of our founders and all the employees that have made NV2A special by contributing their talent and knowledge.

Q: Tell us how you started your career in construction. What attracted you to this industry?

I originally wanted to be a special education teacher. A friend of mine told me about a construction job opportunity around the same time, so I decided to interview, not knowing anything about construction, but was excited to learn.  I was fascinated to see how every day you are learning something new in construction, and leaving a positive imprint on the state or country that you are working in.

Q: What do you think are some of the advantages of being a woman in the construction industry?

Us women tend to have great attention to detail! This is one of our great advantages in all construction related matters.

Q: What are some of the challenges that you face as a woman in the construction industry?

Women in the construction industry can face the unfortunate situation of not being taken seriously. Many times, our voice is not heard equally, since construction is thought to be man’s industry.  This leads some women in the industry to think that you must be tougher to be respected by the subcontractors or by your peers.  In truth, you can be stern and keep the softer side of ourselves and gain more in return.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who might want to pursue a career in construction?

I think that if someone wants to pursue a career in construction, it is important to learn or become familiar with all aspects of the trade. From bidding and finances, to building the building, approach this with a thirst for learning and you will succeed!

Q: Any final thoughts you would like to share?

Always give your 100% in whatever you do in life. Do not be afraid to make mistakes or ask questions.  The worst mistake anyone can do is not learning from past experiences.