- Title
- Project Manager at Jacobson & Company
- Project Manager at Jacobson & Company
- Your current position Project Manager at Jacobson & Company
- Your cultural background
- 1st Generation Dominican American
- 1st Generation Dominican American
- What inspired you to pursue this career?
- What inspired me to pursue a career in construction was funny enough not really knowing what career to pursue. When I graduated high school, I took a semester off to figure out what career path to take and came across a technical course in mechanical drafting. That sparked my interest in buildings and construction overall. I then decided to major in civil engineering because it was more numbers related rather than creative. During my last semester is when I was introduced to project management, estimating, and contract administration. I knew then I wanted to pursue a career that involved these three areas. After graduating from Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) I moved to the United States where I decided to continue my education at Polytechnic University (now NYU) where I obtained my masters in Project Management and Construction Engineering.
- What inspired me to pursue a career in construction was funny enough not really knowing what career to pursue. When I graduated high school, I took a semester off to figure out what career path to take and came across a technical course in mechanical drafting. That sparked my interest in buildings and construction overall. I then decided to major in civil engineering because it was more numbers related rather than creative. During my last semester is when I was introduced to project management, estimating, and contract administration. I knew then I wanted to pursue a career that involved these three areas. After graduating from Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) I moved to the United States where I decided to continue my education at Polytechnic University (now NYU) where I obtained my masters in Project Management and Construction Engineering.
- What have you learned throughout the course of your career?
- Time management and being prepared is always crucial not only for your own sanity but most importantly to ensure the quality of your work. This leaves time for me to thoroughly review everything and communicate to the appropriate people so nothing goes unnoticed. You're not always going to have all the answers but if you're prepared and know your project inside out can ask the most appropriate questions to get those answers. Nobody should know your project better than you. I take pride in my work but also my efficiency because nobody can tell me something I don't already know.
- Time management and being prepared is always crucial not only for your own sanity but most importantly to ensure the quality of your work. This leaves time for me to thoroughly review everything and communicate to the appropriate people so nothing goes unnoticed. You're not always going to have all the answers but if you're prepared and know your project inside out can ask the most appropriate questions to get those answers. Nobody should know your project better than you. I take pride in my work but also my efficiency because nobody can tell me something I don't already know.
- What advice would you give to Latinas that aspire to follow in your footsteps?
- Being a woman in a non-traditional role, and on top of that a minority, leaves room for many cultural as well as generational taboos. We have to work harder and smarter. Make it a habit to double and triple check your work so if you're challenged on anything you're prepared to defend yourself or solve the problem. As Latinas, we need to take the negative aspect of us being feisty and turn it into a productive one for the workplace. People will not hesitate to point out a mistake so do not hesitate to point out whatever you feel isn't correct either. Speak up for yourself, it’s extremely competitive out there. Even if you are doing a great job, you might not be noticed; use that fire we have and speak out, ASK QUESTIONS! It'll only better prepare you for anything. Another piece of advice even I have to remind myself is to not spend time worrying about what hasn't happened. All you can do is be as prepared as you can and focus on the current tasks at hand.
- Being a woman in a non-traditional role, and on top of that a minority, leaves room for many cultural as well as generational taboos. We have to work harder and smarter. Make it a habit to double and triple check your work so if you're challenged on anything you're prepared to defend yourself or solve the problem. As Latinas, we need to take the negative aspect of us being feisty and turn it into a productive one for the workplace. People will not hesitate to point out a mistake so do not hesitate to point out whatever you feel isn't correct either. Speak up for yourself, it’s extremely competitive out there. Even if you are doing a great job, you might not be noticed; use that fire we have and speak out, ASK QUESTIONS! It'll only better prepare you for anything. Another piece of advice even I have to remind myself is to not spend time worrying about what hasn't happened. All you can do is be as prepared as you can and focus on the current tasks at hand.
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