Celebrating Careers in Construction with Hannah Olsen

Discover how Hannah’s pivot from traditional education to construction led her to a career of empowerment, hands-on learning, and resilience. Not only does the electrical industry POWER the world we live in, but according to Hannah, construction builds confidence!

This October, we celebrate Careers in Construction Month (CICM), a month-long initiative that aims to raise awareness around growth opportunities within the construction industry and encourage the next generation of skilled professionals to consider a career in trade. Approximately 300,000 individuals join the construction industry annually, making construction one of the fastest growing workforces in America. In 2020, Hannah Olsen found herself as part of that incoming cohort, pivoting from traditional higher education in hopes to find a profession with better opportunities for hands-on learning.

“During Covid everything transitioned to online which didn’t mesh well with my preferred style of learning,” says Hannah. Exploring other pathways, her stepdad, a general contractor, introduced her to the possibility of a career in electrical work. “I was nervous at first because I didn’t know what all electrical work entailed and I wasn’t sure that I could even use a power tool properly,” says Hannah. Nonetheless, she triumphed over her doubt. “I scuffed up my boots so people wouldn’t know by looking at me that I’ve never been on a construction site,” says Hannah, “today I’m happy I took the leap of faith!”

Hannah’s progress in the electrical trade represents a journey of growth that extends well beyond the technical skills she’s come to master. For Hannah, a career in construction became a pathway to personal development, empowerment and self-confidence.

“A career in construction has helped me find my voice,” says Hannah, “I used to shy away from certain situations, but the trades totally changed my self- perception and amplified my self-esteem.” With mentors to guide her and peers that shared her same drive for success, every day on a project site turned into an opportunity for personal development and self-improvement. “Being here, I feel like a more capable human being,” she says.

“I think a lot of people enter into the trades already having confidence,” says Hannah, “but I encourage people to come as they are because construction builds confidence. If you stick with it, you’ll be surprised at how much easier it gets and how fast your confidence grows.” 

Back to Newsroom