From HR to Hard Hats: The Bold Career Shift That Helped Me Discover My Strength in Construction

A Full-Circle Moment Working on a Connecticut Children’s Medical Center 

One of the most meaningful moments in my career was working onsite at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT – the same hospital where I was cured of cancer at just two years old. That project was incredibly close to my heart and truly felt like a full-circle moment. Being able to contribute, in my own way, to a place that once gave me a second chance at life was something I will never forget.

Knowing that the work we were supporting would help create a safe, healing environment for children and families going through some of the toughest times in their lives made the experience deeply rewarding.

Starting a Career in Human Resources 

Throughout my early career, I pictured myself building a long-term future in Human Resources. I loved the different aspects of the career like onboarding new employees, employee relations, training, benefits, payroll etc. It seemed as though HR was the core and glue to a company.

Little did I know I’d eventually find myself demoing core rigs on job sites and working in construction sales instead.

Taking the Leap from HR to Construction Sales

I left my HR dream behind to take a leap of faith and try a completely new career path. I had never heard of Hilti and was simply encouraged to stop by and learn more. At first, I honestly thought they were saying sales for the “Hilton.” But once I researched the company and understood the impact of its products and engineering solutions, I was genuinely intrigued. Although I was just getting started with my HR career, I wanted to explore the construction sales world and be able to dip my toes into a new career to broaden my experience and get out of my comfort zone.

Coming from a family with an engineering background, I never imagined I’d find myself in a role closely connected to that world. Now, it’s part of my daily scope of work. I collaborate with contractors, engineers, and project managers, supporting everything from anchor design to tool demonstrations and on-site problem solving.

I love being part of both large-scale and local projects and supporting my customers from start to finish. There’s something incredibly rewarding about driving by a new school, hospital, or residential building and knowing I played a small part in helping bring it to life.

Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry as a Woman in Construction

Transitioning from a woman-dominated function into a man-dominated industry was not easy. I faced imposter syndrome and questioned myself many times while learning a completely new field and technical skill set.

There were moments when I had to push myself to speak up, stand my ground, and trust that I was capable. After a couple years of being quiet I knew I had to start standing up for myself if I wanted to be taken seriously and earn credibility. Over time, as my product knowledge and industry understanding grew, so did my confidence.

Now, 4.5 years later, I feel fierce, determined, and grounded in a strong sense of belonging. I’m proud that I stayed the course. I always knew it takes a year or so to adjust to any new enviroment and career. I will never give up on putting effort into new opportunities. I knew this job would be challenging but with the support of my colleagues and the training and development that Hilti invests in, I’ve discovered a passion and drive that I didn’t know I had.

Growing as an HVAC and Mechanical Account Manager at Hilti 

Today, I am proud to serve as an HVAC/Mechanical Account Manager with Hilti. I’m excited about what the future holds and confident that my growth here is directly tied to the effort and passion I continue to invest. With constant support, mentorship, and resources around me, I know I am never alone in my development. I am beyond proud of myself for taking a step away from the HR field and leaping into the construction sales field. I have seen how much growth I have made professionally and personally that I would not want to change anything that I have done. Taking this leap into the unknown has revealed strengths and abilities I never knew I had.

And this is only just the beginning.

Explore Opportunities at Hilti

At Hilti, we are committed to creating opportunities for our team members to connect to one another and develop meaningful and long-lasting careers with impact. Learn more and explore our opportunities in North America and worldwide here: Jobs | Hilti Careers