As part of Women in Construction Week (March 2-8, 2025), we are profiling members of our team who work in the Construction part of our business.
Erin Flynt Christiansen, Sales Manager – Construction, has worked for IMAGINiT Technologies for nearly ten years. Prior to joining IMAGINiT, Erin was a Business Development Manager at Cleveland Construction, a national commercial contractor specializing in construction management, general contracting, and interior specialty contracting.
In this blog post, Erin shares her experiences in the construction sector and offers advice to others interested in joining this field.
What inspired you to pursue a career in construction?
I stumbled into it very much by accident. I had previously worked in operations for a national retailer. When the job responsibilities changed to include travel, I needed to leave due to family commitments. A friend mentioned that a general contractor in Cleveland had an opening in the estimating department. I applied and got the job.
It was a big leap for me. While I had some knowledge of construction, I was really stepping into new territory. In hindsight, it was probably the best decision I ever made, and it definitely led me to what I’m doing today. I’m a big believer that the road takes you where it needs to, so I’m thrilled to have worked there. That company really took me in and helped to make me who I am today. I met some wonderful people who are still family to me. I can say that because my husband and son both still work there!
Can you share your journey getting started and did you face any obstacles?
My boss in the estimating department at the general contractor took me under his wing and taught me the essential skills needed for my role. As I gained more experience, he recognized that I had a lot of potential for business development. He then advocated for me to move into that next position.
I had the opportunity to hunt some really cool projects for the company like Simon Properties, Tanger Outlets, and the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte, NC. I met some incredible people in the AEC field on the architectural and engineering side, but at the owner level too. Many of those people became my mentors and friends. I’ve been fortunate to have a really strong support system throughout my journey, not just at my companies, but through the clients I’ve worked with too.
Have you faced any gender-related challenges in the industry?
If so, how did you navigate them? I had only one instance when I was working in the estimating department. We had a subcontractor who showed up at the office and asked to see me in person. This was not standard operating practice for the company. When I took the phone call from the front desk, I mentioned it to my boss. The male team members on my floor escorted the individual out and the company prohibited him from bidding on any other projects.
I was lucky to work for a firm with strong values and policies which ensure that all employees are treated with respect, regardless of their gender. This was a great illustration of those policies and their culture in action. When this individual stepped over the line, the company stepped in and shut it down immediately. That’s one of the many reasons that company was a solid foundation for me professionally.
What changes have you seen in the industry regarding diversity and inclusion?
When I first started, the demands placed on working women – especially mothers – weren’t well understood. It’s drastically changed in the last 10 to 15 years. A big reason for that is because it’s a co-parenting world now and many fathers are participating more in parenting activities. It’s more widely accepted now for both men and women to have work-life balance.
How do you handle moments where you might be the only woman in the room or on a job site?
I’ve never been uncomfortable being the only woman in the room. I feel confident that I belong there. At the same time, I acknowledge when I have gaps in my experience and ask for help filling them.
I also think it’s important to “read the room” and consider how you may need to adapt to the environment in order to get your message across. Sometimes you have to adjust to ensure that you’re taken seriously. I don’t like having to be a chameleon of sorts, but unfortunately, it’s the nature of the beast sometimes.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction?
I would say to do it! Being a part of building something is incredibly rewarding. It’s really cool to drive past a project that you’ve contributed to, whether you were involved in the initial stages of hunting the project or you were part of the team that constructed it. Every member of the team is really important and there’s something very rewarding about seeing the finished product. You’ll never regret taking the leap to be part of something so special.
How can companies better support and encourage more women to enter and thrive in the construction industry?
There’s already a lot of activity happening right now. When you go to college fairs, there are huge increases in the number of women enrolled in construction programs. More women are coming in on the project management and project engineering side which is more office-driven work. At the same time, based on my experience, there are a lot of women already working on job sites. There are many women-owned businesses. The evolution is continuing and we’re on the right path. I think things like Women in Construction Week highlight the women who are working in this field and they’re here to stay.
What do you think the future holds for women in construction?
I believe the future is bright for women in construction. Women are present not only in the office, but also on job sites. We’ve broken that barrier, and the growth is only going to continue.
