2019 Women in Construction: Brenda Kolbow, Survey Project Manager, TFMoran, Inc.

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How many years have you been in your current field? 14

Which project, deal or transaction was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? My “game changer” was achieving my professional license. There is so much time and effort involved in the education, job experience and testing processes that this takes years to accomplish. But then after all of that, once you have that credential, it really does change the game.

What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession? My biggest fear was, and still is, making mistakes. In this profession there is very little room for error. Knowing that a decision you make can have a serious affect on not only someone’s project, but your own reputation as a professional, really puts the pressure on to get it right.

What are you doing differently in 2019 that has had a positive impact on your career? In 2019 I have been taking on more responsibility by taking the initiative to make decisions and taking care of tasks on my own, as opposed to double checking with others first. This has created the opportunity for others as well as myself to see that I can be trusted to make appropriate decisions.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it? My first job was as a gymnastics coach when I was a teenager. I learned how to help people overcome their fears and incrementally improve their skills over time to achieve a specific goal. I also learned that working as a team is about supporting and encouraging other individuals to make the whole group stronger.

Who are three women – living or dead – that you would like to have drinks with and why? 
1. Amelia Earhart – I would love to talk to Amelia to hear all about her experiences while traveling and find out what inspired her to push the limits.
2. Condoleeza Rice – Talking to Condoleeza would be fascinating to me. Her career alone is so impressive that I would eat up any advice she had to share. Both her professional and personal achievements are very inspirational, especially as a woman. 
3. My Great-Grandmother, Julia – My grandmother was adopted as a baby and no one ever got to meet her biological mother. We have found other relatives, but I would love to hear her story and see what her life was like.