'Build Like a Girl' event in Menasha aims to attract young females to construction, trades

MENASHA (WLUK) -- It's a campaign designed to attract females to work in the field of construction.

The 8th annual "Build Like a Girl" event wrapped up Thursday afternoon at Miron Construction in Menasha.

Inside what experts consider to be a medium-sized crane, Emma Nordlinder does her best to maneuver a red round ball into a steel drum below.

"It was really fun. I was nervous. But you've got to be patient. I was just happy I didn't knock over the barrel. Because that's what I thought I was going to do," said Nordlinder, a student at Menasha High School.

Not far away, Natalie Larsen tries her hand at masonry.

"We just built some walls, and that was really fun," said Larsen, an Oshkosh West student.

The girls are part of a group of 30 female students learning what it's like to work in the trades. Dawn Grenzer-Stumpf is the education engagement manager at Miron Construction.

"10 percent of our building trades is made up of women. So there's definitely a gap in our talent pipeline. When it comes to females in the trades, and with events like today, inspire young women to pursue a career in the trades. and see what is all possible and be inspired by other females that are in construction," said Grenzer-Stumpf.

Back to the brickwork, Larsen says she's leaning toward a career in the medical field, but she says the program is a success.

"I would say, it's definitely good for girls. And it's a good experience to do. I would definitely recommend it. It's awesome," Larsen said.

Nordlinder says architecture and design may be in her future, but for those who build like a girl, the sky may be the limit.

"I noticed a lot of girls aren't in the trades, and they might not be comfortable, or want to do this, because it's a man's thing. But I thought it would be kind of cool to see what it's like, and do something out of my comfort zone," she said.

The next Build Like a Girl session is scheduled to take place in a few weeks at the Miron Construction facility in Eau Claire.