2021 Women in Construction: Isabelle Clarke, Assistant Project Manager, Vantage Builders

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? The past year turned out to be a good one for professional growth. Towards the end of 2020 I was promoted from project engineer to assistant project manager. This advance has enabled me to take on greater responsibility and has provided more independence, including working more closely and directly with clients. Also, while Vantage Builders has significant experience in the cleanroom market, I took lead on my first project in this area, which has been very fulfilling.

What are you most looking forward to post-pandemic? Vantage Builders has a great company culture and I’ve missed that during the pandemic. Conference calls and video calls definitely help keep projects moving forward, but they don’t replace the buzz and excitement of an office full of people all working towards the same goals. I’m looking forward to having the full team back in the office.

Why should women consider a career in construction? There are measurable goals in the construction industry. And that is very beneficial to women in the industry, because you don’t have to be overly concerned with where you fit in or whether you fit in. Hit your project deadlines, hit your goals and you can prove that you belong. That’s not the case in every industry. 

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? I’ve been fortunate to have some excellent mentors in my career, including here at Vantage Builders. I also am a good self-motivator, with a strong sense of independence. Knowing that I can ask for assistance when needed has given me the ability to take greater strides in my career without feeling I’m on my own. It’s a great combination of support and freedom.

What steps have you taken to ensure the continued success of your firm? Vantage Builders has grown significantly in the three years that I’ve been at the firm. I have worked closely with the newer team members, especially project engineers, to answer their questions, help them adjust to their new company and show them how Vantage operates. This mentoring role has helped me grow in my own career, while also helping the firm by getting new employees up to speed quickly.