How to Change Careers in Construction: Jackie Bates' Experience

By providing unique experiences to position our employees for success, regardless of where they are in their careers, we allow them to grow and develop within the organization. In construction, a career plan is rarely a straight line, and success often comes from embracing new opportunities and challenges. 

For Jackie Bates, Senior Business Analyst, her career journey has been shaped by adaptability and curiosity to continuously learn from those around her. From starting in fire protection at just 19 years old to transitioning into service and now IT, Jackie's experience is a testament to the diverse career pathways available within the AEC industry. 

Finding and developing your career plan 

Jackie's career at Southland began on the fire protection side, where she worked as a project administrator. Her early exposure to different teams and roles set the foundation for a career that would evolve. When an opportunity arose to become a service coordinator, she jumped at the chance to diversify her experience within the organization and industry overall.  

Over the years, Jackie's role expanded to account management, where she worked closely with customers and operations teams to refine processes and improve efficiency. Her passion for continuous improvement led her to work with Southland's IT team, tackling process standardization on a national level. 

"I really love our company and just wanted to continue to be a driving force for improvement," Jackie shared.  

Navigating a construction career 

Jackie's career path exemplifies the value of staying open to new roles, experiences, and responsibilities that can lead to long-term success in construction. Her insights offer important lessons for professionals looking to grow within the industry: 

1. Stay open to new opportunities: Whether stepping into a leadership position or transitioning into a completely new field like IT, Jackie has embraced each new role with a willingness to learn. "Do not get too much in your own silo. Definitely realize there's more outside of your department in your role," Jackie advised.  
2. Foster a culture of collaboration: Throughout her career, Jackie has prioritized teamwork. She believes that strong teams are built on open communication and shared knowledge. "There's a lot of great talent within our organization who can truly help you and who have your best interest at heart. I think that's one of the greatest things I've learned within our organization is that your mentors could be vast. You're able to leverage your peers across the divisions and branches and departments to collaborate and problem-solve and communicate with one another," Jackie said.
3. Make small changes that have a big impact: Jackie has always looked for ways to improve efficiency, whether it's updating customer data processes or refining how materials are checked before installation. "Innovation doesn't have to be about big, flashy changes. Sometimes, small tweaks in our everyday tasks can create a ripple effect that improves workflow across the company," she expressed.
4. Create an environment where people feel heard: One of Jackie's strengths as a leader is making sure that her team feels comfortable sharing their ideas. "Sometimes, people just need to vent before they can get to problem-solving. Listening — really listening — builds trust and encourages a culture where people feel safe bringing ideas to the table," Jackie reflected. 

Building a career in construction 

Jackie's career is a reminder that success is not defined by a rigid career plan, but rather embracing opportunities, staying adaptable, and building strong relationships that guide you toward your goals.  

"You have to be honest with your peers, personnel, mentors and those who are helping guide you during your path in order for you to become more successful," she said.