In honor of WIC Week, join us as we sit down with Jessica Cardenas.
What led you to a career in construction?
I found my way into this industry almost by accident. I started at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) the week I graduated from college. Starting in Government Affairs at NECA, I quickly saw just how critical this industry is and how fast it’s evolving. I knew I wanted to play even a small part in that progress and be a voice advocating for electrical contractors and the industry. I certainly never expected a career in construction—especially considering the only thing I ever failed in school was the electrical unit in my middle school shop class—but I’m incredibly grateful that this path found me, and it has turned into a truly rewarding career.
What do you find most satisfying or rewarding about your current role?
Working with ELECTRI to provide resources and tools for electrical contractors to thrive in this industry is very rewarding work. My favorite part is connecting with our contractors and seeing the pride they have in their companies and the impact they have on their communities. I get to hear their pain points and challenges, and work with researchers and industry experts to come up with resources to help meet the needs of our industry.
What do you find most satisfying or rewarding about the industry?
The electrical construction industry is booming, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see contractors continually evolve—working more efficiently and integrating new technologies to meet the growing demand. Watching companies adapt, improve, and succeed in such a fast-changing environment is inspiring. ELECTRI’s goal is to prepare our contractors to stay ahead of the pace of change, so that means I’m learning something new every single day, which keeps the work fresh, challenging, and exciting.
What are your ambitions in your career? In construction?
My ambition is to continually learn and grow so I can be an even stronger resource for our industry and the people in it. I want to use my experience to support contractors, advance the work ELECTRI is doing, and help others discover their own path in construction. Ultimately, I hope my career contributes to opening doors for more people to build rewarding futures in this field.
What would you say to women who are considering a career in construction?
I would tell them that construction is full of opportunity, and that it’s a place where you can build an incredible, rewarding, and dynamic career with pathways in the field, project management, operations, technology, and more. Women bring strengths that are critical in this industry: clear communication, strong collaboration, the ability to manage many moving parts, attention to detail, and people-centered leadership. Choosing this industry has been incredibly rewarding for me, and I wish for any woman considering construction that you find your place, thrive in it, and experience the same sense of purpose and fulfillment that I have.
