Pay It Forward: "Build A Support System" Career Advice from ARCO/Murray's Corie Spankowski
"Establish contacts with a variety of professionals, develop those relationships, and utilize the collective guidance to further your career."
Corie Spanokowski is the director of operations for ARCO/Murray’s tenant solutions division in Chicago.
Spanokowski supports associates in executing national construction projects and provides career guidance and serves as a mentor to project managers within her division. Spanokowski is also one of 18 on GlobeSt’s Women To Watch List.
What has been your biggest challenge as a women in the design-build construction industry/? My biggest challenge, but ultimate driver of success, is continuing to find empowerment in being a woman in a male-dominated industry. I am regularly challenged to find ways to utilize my gender and the network of supportive women in the field to excel in my career and the careers of the women around me. I have found growth in understanding that there will always be negative people, situations where I am expected to over-prove myself, and straight up unfairness. This drives me to continue to develop competencies and skills, anticipate these scenarios, and not allow tough circumstances be deterrents. Instead of shrinking away at the thought that people are uneasy having a woman run point, I am challenged to embrace the intrigue of this novelty in our field. It pushes me to demonstrate my expertise and further prove I am exactly where I belong.
The construction industry has historically been a challenging industry for women. Where would you say the industry needs to improve for women? I see the most room for improvement for our industry starting at an early education and recruiting level. I have heard it many times that the industry is slow to change because companies are hiring the best and brightest from a limited pool of candidates; predominately white, type-A personality males. Without sacrificing talent, we can push beyond the standard recruitment process by expanding our view on available resources coming into the industry. For example, have companies still recruit at the College of Engineering career fairs and big-name organizations, but also focus on the Society of Women Engineers and smaller, specialized campus groups. Develop mentor programs, career education initiatives, and fund STEM programs to grow the selection of the best and brightest minds available and create a more diverse and inclusive industry.
“Establish contacts with a variety of professionals, develop those relationships, and utilize the collective guidance to further your career.” – Corie Spankowski
How can women better position themselves for success both in general and in your specific area of focus? I believe this goes for anyone looking to advance in their careers – continue to ask questions, do not accept things as they are, and recognize that there is always more to learn.
What is the best piece of advice you have received that has helped you succeed in your industry? And what is your advice for the next generation? I was extremely lucky to be introduced to a successful, female business leader at the start of my career. I did not realize it then, but she solidified an informal mentorship with me for which I am extremely grateful. One of the first suggestions she had was to build a support system of a variety mentors around you – male and female, internal and external, formal and informal. So, I would like to pass on the advice to establish contacts with a variety of professionals, develop those relationships, and utilize the collective guidance to further your career.
Covid-19 is testing the mettle of every leader in the Real Estate community right now. What, in particular, can women bring to the table as the industry continues to grapple with this crisis? No one knows the perfect solution on how to deal with this crisis or the best plan for getting back into the office. Covid-19 has had a wide range of impact on everyone due to the differences in our individual circumstances and overall comfort levels. It is important to consider everyone’s situation and do our best to respect the variety of needs. Be part of the conversations and contribute ideas, give feedback, and help drive to the most inclusive solution. In doing so, we can make sure that all points of view are being considered and respected as we lay out our plans for the next week, month, and years.
