New student group receives industry support
Monday, November 4, 2013 2:00 AM
News
Pittsburg, KS
As secretary of the Pittsburg State University student chapter of the Mechanical Contractors Association, junior Shontae Cobb has made some nice industry connections. Those relationships recently paid dividends for another student group in which Cobb is involved.
The MCA-Kansas City chapter recently donated $5,000 to the new Women in Construction student group, of which Cobb is the president. The WIC group’s main focus is bringing together regional women in construction for “networking and mentoring,” and Cobb said the industry support will go a long way toward helping the group achieve its goals.
“To receive this kind of industry support for our group is incredible,” Cobb, a construction management major, said. “It shows the importance of bringing together women in the construction field, and it really helps us believe even further in what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Cobb said the money will be used to pay for registration at two upcoming conferences. The National Association of Women in Construction will conduct its annual conference in Indianapolis, and the new SEK Chapter of NAWIC will hold its first regional planning meeting on Nov. 9 at Pitt State’s Kansas Technology Center.
“Being able to attend these two conferences will be great for our group, as we’re looking to our mentors to help us learn and grow,” Cobb said. “That’s why this donation is so valuable to us. It opens up even more doors.”
Jim Otter, chair of the PSU School of Construction, said the increased interest in construction among women is due in large part to the women who have found success in the field and have shared their stories.
“The success of our female graduates in the construction industry has increased interest and empowered many women to enter the field who may not have otherwise,” Otter said. “These women serve as role models, and that’s really what we’ve needed for so long. It’s nice to see industry supporting our students’ efforts.”