Actis regional sales director and Women in Construction ambassador Jemma Harris urges women to reject stereotypes and follow their dreams – whatever they may be
Jemma Harris oversees sales in the North of England and so has links with the northern region.
Speaking to year 11 students at a school in Hull recently, Harris told them about her career in the Royal Navy and in construction – typically ‘macho’ environments.
There will be knockbacks
Naturally, she faced obstacles. Harris openly discussed the issues she, and many women, are faced with when climbing up the career ladder.
For example, the Gender Gap Index report states that it will be approximately 108 years before women and men are paid equally.
However, she made sure to not discourage the children by providing useful advice on overcoming these hurdles.
‘These obstacles didn’t deter me from my goals.’
She told them: “It sounds pretty boring selling insulation, but there’s actually a lot more to it than that. You get involved with the whole design and build process in construction and the eco side of things – saving the planet.
“However, I have had to put the hard work in and overcome many obstacles, particularly as a woman in the industry that I currently work in and during my service in the Royal Navy.
“I had to work that bit harder than the boys, particularly on board a ship. I was promoted later than others because I was a girl. I was overlooked for certain positions. These obstacles didn’t deter me from my goals. They made me more determined to succeed and prove myself to be just as good.”
Harris has been rewarded for her hard work – she received a medal for her role in the Gulf War and won a physical fitness award.
Responses to the talk
After hearing Harris’ stories of determination and success, 87.5% of the young women in the audience were keen to pursue a career in sales of business. The talk had helped them to break down pre-conceived notions of ‘male jobs’ and ‘female jobs’
Responses included: “Jemma’s talk gave us a chance to show young women that they can do anything that they actually want to do and that they don’t have to do the stereotypical ‘girl jobs’ and that girls are just as good as boys and that everything should be equal.”
Another attendee said: “It helped open young minds that they shouldn’t listen to people who tell them that they can’t so something because they are a girl and that this is a ‘guy job.'”
Jemma concluded:Â “Diversity and inclusion are always something industries should strive for. I’d like to think that, along with other women in the industry, we are making an impact and difference in inspiring the next female generation to get involved in construction.”
