2018 Women in Construction: Jillian Condiracci, Skanska

Name: Jillian Condiracci

Title: Project Engineer

Company: Skanska

Years in the A/E/C Industry: 6 years

What associations or organizations are you a member of? ACE - mentoring students; Skanska’s Young Professionals, Skanska’s Women’s Network

What was your most notable project in 2017? The year 2017 was a busy year for me! I completed my role on the rehabilitation project at the Bayonne Bridge in Bayonne, New Jersey. Shortly after I was selected by my company and moved to Warsaw, Poland. In Poland it forced me to expand out of my comfort zone and manage safety for a high rise 3-building complex. After 6 months in Warsaw, I then moved to Boston to work directly for my mentor. A project close to home for him, building a pedestrian bridge at Northeastern University. 

Why the A/E/C Industry? The A/E/C industry is a platform for women that demands creativity and strength. Each morning the day either starts with your pencil, computer mouse or work boots, and the route you choose is limitless. Being a female in construction is pretty rare, but I enjoy it! To me, the craft workers become my second family. My favorite aspect of working in construction is the accountability. Its either you know how to finish concrete or you don’t, its either you are on budget or not. There’s no better feeling than when a complicated plan is executed effortlessly and completed safely. 

Advice/Keys to Success: Be patient. In any career there are moments where adversity overwhelms you, but the truth is, they are better off with you than without you! Looking back at moments when I was tested in the field, I realized those were the stepping stones in my career. A test that I excelled at. Even today, after 6 years in the industry, I face moments where I had to prove myself to laborer Stewarts and company superintendents. I choose to be patient, because I let my actions speak for myself instead of my words. 

 If you had a mentor in your career, who was it and what did they teach you? My mentor is Paul Pedini, the vice president of operations for Skanska USA Civil, and the Boston regional manager. I first met him over 2 years ago while I was working in New York. We both signed up to be a part my companies mentoring program and my life hasn’t been the same since.  Just this past year, I moved to Boston to work directly for him. I have complete trust in Paul and his influence on my career. I now call Boston my home, and I have never felt so settled and at peace before.