When an injury at a previous job in paint manufacturing opened her eyes to the world of safety, Kaylyn Burnham discovered a career path she hadn’t previously considered. Today, as the new Safety Manager at Shanahan Mechanical and Electrical (SME), her journey is a powerful testament to how field experience, training, and unwavering determination can converge to create monumental opportunities.

The incident, though minor, was a pivotal moment that led Kaylyn to switch her college major from Environmental Science to Environmental Health and Safety. After leaving the paint manufacturing facility in 2022, she began her role as safety technician for the facilities department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), before earning her associate’s degree in May 2023.

During her two-year tenure at UNK, Kaylyn oversaw safety for a diverse range of trades from plumbers and electricians to utility plant operators. It was here that she confirmed her passion for the field, all while continuing to pursue safety education and professional certifications. Ready for a new challenge and a shift from the public sector, she set her sights on IES Nebraska in 2024.

While a dedicated safety role wasn’t immediately feasible at that time, Kaylyn was determined to get her foot in the IES door. Recognizing her talent, Nebraska leadership offered her a position in their Prefab Shop. Without hesitation, Kaylyn seized the opportunity, viewing the hands-on field experience as a valuable asset. “I knew field experience would be something great, and it was something I actually ended up enjoying way more than I anticipated,” Kaylyn recalled. Her time in Prefab was far from a pause in her safety career; however, it was a period of intense, parallel growth. While working as an apprentice by day, Kaylyn continued her full-time bachelor’s degree studies in Emergency Management by night.

Her commitment and performance in Prefab did not go unnoticed. In July, SME’s leadership reached out, offering her an interview for the Safety Manager position in Lincoln—a role she had envisioned being a decade away. “Being given the opportunity to interview for this position alone has seriously boosted my confidence.” Shortly after starting as Safety Manager , she successfully earned her Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification.

In her short time as Safety Manager, Kaylyn’s people-centric and hands-on safety leadership style has already made a measurable impact. While maintaining compliance, she prioritizes interpersonal relationships and employee feedback to innovate even safer solutions.

“I can see the direct impact that’s being made,” she said. “I really enjoy working with so many different people and serving as a voice for them.” Her approach is yielding tangible results, with a significant increase in safety compliance and productivity metrics since she started. More importantly, the cultural shift is appreciable. “I have employees come up to me and comment that people can feel an atmosphere change,” Kaylyn shared. “There’s always room for improvement, but it’s good to know that we’re making progress.”

From Prefab to leading safety for a regionally respected contractor, Kaylyn’s journey illustrates that in today’s construction industry, hard work and passion can dramatically accelerate one’s trajectory, powering both confidence and a rewarding career.

For anyone considering a career in construction due to self-doubt, Kaylyn offers a final piece of simple, powerful advice: “Just dive in and give it your all. The only thing between you and your end goal is yourself.”

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