While Sydney Bohall wasn’t necessarily looking for a career in construction after completing her college studies in Environmental Health & Safety, she feels right at home as a Safety Specialist at Baker Group. Bohall is currently working on the site of Baker Group’s project at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC).

“We certainly talked about construction as a topic in college, but I never imagined actually doing it,” says Bohall. “I moved to Iowa for grad school, and didn’t really like the program I was in so I began looking for career opportunities. I saw that Baker Group was hiring for a safety specialist, and I jumped at it. It turns out that it has been a really good fit for me.” 

On the UIHC site, Bohall is visible to all who have a role on the project. From making rounds to ensure personal protective equipment is being used properly to working with the general contractor to address safety issues on site, Bohall is focused on making sure workers are sent home safely at the end of every shift.

She says she feels fortunate to work in an environment where workers see the importance of doing things the right way.

“Baker Group is very safety forward,” Bohall says. “A lot of companies aren’t that way, and it can be difficult for a specialist like me when safety isn’t a priority. The culture has been built in a way here that safety is everyone’s job.”

Bohall began in May 2022 and says that she is continuing to grow into her role. In doing so, she feels fortunate to have so much support—especially in such a male-dominated industry.

“There was a learning curve at the beginning with this being my first construction job,” Bohall says. “For the first three or four months I was the only female on the job site and that took a bit for everyone to get used to. It definitely turned heads.” “But I was not afraid to ask questions,” she continues. “And I think once people got used to seeing a woman on the job site and realized that I knew what I was doing and I was going to be a regular presence, it was no big deal.”

As the UIHC project picks up steam, Bohall says she is excited to watch it take shape.