Story Feature: Michelle B.

Quote:

“Don’t hold back. Go for it. People might doubt you, but you’re the one living that dream, not them.” - Michelle

Photo Credit: Valley Build Partnership (during Michelle’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program)

Highlights from Michelle’s Story:

For Michelle, strength isn’t just about muscle or endurance, it’s about discipline, and the quiet courage to begin and continue learning.

Long before she was walking steel beams and tightening bolts high above the ground, Michelle was deep into textbooks, studying nutrition at Fresno State. Michelle shares that she was always a straight-A student from a proud, hard-working Hispanic family, she grew up surrounded by high standards and the belief that excellence wasn’t optional, but it was expected. “My parents pushed me to aim high,” she said. “And I’m grateful for that. It made me who I am today.”

She graduated with honors, but after years of juggling classes, full-time jobs, and pressure to excel, she began to wonder what success really meant for her. That reflection led her to look into the Valley Build Program. This program was a three-month pre-apprenticeship in California’s Central Valley that offered hands-on experience and exposure across multiple trades. Giving Michelle the ability to try a few different trades. It was through this pre-apprenticeship program that Michelle found something she didn’t know she was missing. She found a purpose she could feel in her hands by building. “It was tough, but it felt real,” she said. “You go home tired, but proud.”

Michelle shares that after this program she left with several safety and trade certificates showing future employers that she has a strong foundation to start in the industry. It was not long after that SPAN Construction called Michelle with a position, she didn’t realize she was stepping into her dream. The title read Metal Building Assembler, but her supervisor explained that it was, in fact, an Iron Worker role. “I grew up looking at the old photos of ironworkers eating lunch on beams above New York City,” she said. “I never thought I’d actually become one of them one day.”

For about 8 months, Michelle has been working on SPAN’s walls crew, handling the meticulous detail work to achieve weather-tight structures. “We start at the foundation, from metal bracings, panels, gutters, downspouts. Every little bolt and nut matters,” she said.  As she continues to grow in this role, she continues to learn more about what components are part of the overall building and structural steel process. 

Her work ethic quickly stood out. Just three months into her role, her superintendent surprised her with a red carbon-fiber hard hat, a milestone for her to show how far she had already made it into the industry. “He told me it was because of my work ethic,” she said. “That meant a lot to be seen not just singled out as a woman on site, but as a worker.”

The job has taken her from California to Florida and now to New York, testing her limits and her balance. “The hardest part is being away from family and my girlfriend,” she said. “But your crew becomes your family. They know when you’re homesick and they lift you up.”

Michelle admits that traveling for work and constantly learning new skills can be a challenge, but she’s proud of the growth it brings. “Every project teaches me something new, its patience, precision, teamwork. I’m just here to work, to learn, and to keep moving forward.”

Goals/Acheivements:

Her long-term goal is to eventually learn and grow into a leadership role as she continues her career. She’d eventually like to grow first into a foreman role, then superintendent, and eventually, maybe even to start her own company one day. She’s even open to pursuing a master’s in project management in the future to get there.

I spoke with Michelle’s superintendent with SPAN and he shares “ …we won’t be able to find a better example because she is incredible. I’m glad she is part of my crew and I would take 10 more of her if we can find them!...” So it’s exciting to see that Michelle is already well on her way to meeting those goals and is being acknowledged for her work on site.

Her advice for women thinking about construction is simple, but strong:

“Don’t hold back. Go for it. People might doubt you, but you’re the one living that dream, not them.”

From classroom to job site, from expectation to self-direction, Michelle is proof that high standards don’t hold you back, they teach you how to rise.

To read more about the Valley Build program visit https://valleybuild.net