This week, we’re celebrating Women in Construction Week (March 3-9, 2024) with a blog series highlighting the value and ingenuity women bring to our member businesses.
PCI-MA: How do you describe your job to people?
Mackenzie: My job requires me to be detail-oriented. As a production engineer one of our main priorities is to provide our production team and support shops with clear and concise shop drawings so they can perform their tasks without any questions or uncertainties. I’ve been at NEP for a little over a year and a half.
PCI-MA: How did your career journey lead you to your company?
Mackenzie: Prior to NEP, I was in college pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. After graduation, I had no idea where my professional career was going to start, but I knew I wanted a role that was hands-on. When I saw the job opening at NEP, I was excited for the possibility of being a part of the production process and seeing a project come to life.
PCI-MA: What is one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in our industry and how have you overcome it?
Mackenzie: My greatest challenge was my first project that included double tees for the roofing system of a building. All my previous projects only involved insulated wall panels. This was difficult for me because I needed to understand a different production process, how to read a double tee shop ticket, and understand how the tees interfaced with the wall panels. To overcome this, I went to the people who were already well versed with double tees and asked them for help.
PCI-MA: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Mackenzie: Not every day is the same. Some days I am working at my desk and others I am down in the plant.
PCI-MA: Do you have a mentor or role model? If so, how does this person support you in your personal and professional growth?
Mackenzie: My role model is Michael DeAmore. He has always taken the time to sit down with me and help me work through any problems I am having at that time. With the help of Mike, I have been able to get out of my comfort zone and know when I need help with a task while also realizing the value of asking questions.
PCI-MA: What are your career and life aspirations and goals?
Mackenzie: At this point I want to continue learning more about concrete and the precast industry. I would love to be able to use my knowledge of chemical engineering in the batching process of concrete.
PCI-MA: What advice would you give a young woman entering the construction industry?
Mackenzie: I’d say to any young woman entering the construction industry to just go for it. Don’t be intimidated by a statistic, because you will be holding yourself back from new opportunities and experiences that are worth a lifetime.
Northeast Precast is a state-of-the-art precast concrete manufacturer located in Vineland, New Jersey, which offers commercial products and residential foundation wall systems. In 2001, John Ruga started selling Superior Walls® in New Jersey and started precast manufacturing in 2004. Starting as only a Superior Walls franchise, the company diversified and became known as Northeast Precast, a leader in custom precast products. Today Northeast Precast continues to expand to meet the demands of the residential, commercial building, highway infrastructure and heavy marine construction markets.
Want to learn more about a career in precast? Check out our workforce Career Center for job descriptions, career paths, job listings, and other helpful resources.