Pavers & Masonry
Women in Construction week is the first full week in March. Currently, only 13% of employees in the construction industry are female, according to Construction Coverage. By highlighting women at Clyde Companies, we hope to increase the number of women who decide to begin a career in construction.
For Janice VanDyke, working in the construction industry wasn’t always in the cards.
“I went to massage school and spent a lengthy career as a massage therapist,” Janice said. “Then, I injured my back to the point where I couldn’t perform my job at the level that I used to. So, I started looking for other jobs.”
Janice discovered an opportunity at Sunroc in one of the most unlikely places.
“I was walking my dog at the dog park one morning, and the only other person there was an employee of Sunroc,” Janice said. “She told me a driver had to change positions within the company because of some health issues. They moved her to dispatch, but there was need for another dispatcher.”
Upon learning more about Sunroc and Clyde Companies, Janice applied for and accepted a position in the dispatch office.
“We take orders from contractors telling us how much concrete they need and where it needs to be delivered,” Janice said. “My job is to make sure that they have the right mix ordered for the job that they’re doing, including any add-ins such as colors, fibers, or other products. We schedule in a way that ensures they get a timely delivery. I enjoy talking with the contractors and doing our best to help them accomplish what they need.”
Still relatively new to her position, Janice has learned a great deal about construction since she started in July 2021.
“Anytime I take a new job where I know nothing about what I’m doing whatsoever,” Janice said. “I just keep telling myself that I’m okay – that I’m learning a new language, so to speak. I tell myself that I just need time to learn it and become fluent in it. I feel that way about the construction industry. There are so many facets to it. It’s just amazing to me. I’ve learned a lot.”
Janice has come to admire the dedication of Sunroc employees who work around the clock.
“We have a great crew,” Janice said. “Our drivers are hard workers. Some come in really early, some stay really late. They work Saturdays and do their best to keep everybody happy. I have a lot of respect for the people who deliver the product that we have because of how hard they work.”
Not only does Janice appreciate the hard work of Sunroc’s employees, but she also loves seeing the philanthropic efforts of the company.
“I’m just appreciative of Sunroc,” Janice said. “Not only the company’s history, but its reputation. I like seeing the philanthropy that the company is doing – donating concrete and construction materials to humanitarian projects; donating time and money to various organizations; and encouraging and embracing diversity. I think it’s really cool that they give back so much. I love that they’re in a position to give back and then take the opportunity to do so. It’s great to see. It’s just a great company to work for.”