Women in Construction: Q&A with Farah Mahmood
It's essential to have a workforce that is representative of the community it serves, and women play a vital role in achieving that goal. We celebrate the contributions women have made to the construction and architectural industries and continue to strive for a more inclusive future for all. Farah Mahmood, our own Senior Project Manager, plays an extremely vital role in the success of our company and we sat down with her to learn more about her insights into the industry and her message for young women looking to follow in her footsteps.
Q: What’s your current role at Cladding Concepts and what does that entail?
As a seasoned Senior Project Manager at CCI, I've had the pleasure of contributing to the growth and success of this esteemed company since 2014. Throughout my tenure, I've developed both professionally and personally, consistently striving to deliver exceptional results.
In my role, I work closely with project teams and stakeholders, collaborating on everything from initial project planning to effectively managing finances, schedules, and ensuring successful project completion. With a background in architecture, I'm also equipped to actively participate in design decisions, evaluations, studies, and value engineering analyses.
Q: What’s your favorite part about the job?
Each project presents its own set of unique challenges, and finding innovative solutions to overcome them is what makes the job so thrilling. It demands an adaptable mindset and an openness to change, which in turn helps me to grow both personally and professionally. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continuously learn and develop my skills through these dynamic experiences.
Q: What brought you to this industry?
My passion for architecture and creativity led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in this field. However, I quickly realized that I wanted to broaden my skillset and make a larger impact in the industry. Pursuing a master's degree in New York gave me the opportunity to explore the vast spectrum of the building and construction industries, and opened my eyes to the possibilities of combining my architectural knowledge with management skills. It was a transformative experience that expanded my horizons and motivated me to become a more effective professional. As a Project Manager at Cladding Concepts International, I continue to thrive and grow, and am grateful for the opportunities to contribute to impactful projects.
Q: What has your experience working in the industry been like so far?
Exciting, yet challenging. It is always evolving and the horizon of possibilities are ever expanding in the industry – I love being a part of this!
Q: Have you seen any examples of how the industry has become more supportive of women?
Over time, the industry is recognizing the beauty of diversity more and more - that women are able to offer new and alternate insights and skills to the industry. Changes are happening and even in my relatively short stint in the industry, I feel the impact of that change. Obviously, there are more women now in pivotal positions than before – in one way more women are here because the environment is getting supportive or having more women slowly changing the scenario and opportunities for them.
Q: What advice would you have for young women interested in a career in construction?
It may be intimidating, but just like any other industry, you can be successful if you work smart. Be yourself, be skillful, be curious and keep on learning. Exercise confidence to use your skillsets and knowledge to make the right decisions; and know what you don’t know. Keep on working on yourself to bring out the best, everyday!
