Women in Construction: Kristin Sweeney Shares Her Journey into Mining

March 3-9, 2024, marks Women in Construction Week, which celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. Construction is a dynamic industry where women thrive and build lasting careers. US Aggregates Director of Operations Kristin Sweeney recently joined an Aggregate Women in Leadership Panel at the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association (IMAA) Winter Workshops. The panel was a Women Leaders in Mining & Aggregates (WLMA) breakout session and was moderated by US Aggregates Project Engineer Kensington Kissel.  

While studying engineering at Virginia Tech, Kristin learned about the diverse opportunities for engineers in mining. She discovered the wide variety of roles spanning performance, research and development, operations, leadership and more. She never looked back once she started the mining program. She graduated with a degree in mining and minerals engineering from Virginia Tech and has a master’s in engineering management. The mining department is small, which translates to the interconnected feel of the otherwise large mining industry. Kristin shares more from her panel discussion below: 

Why would you recommend this industry to other women? 

It’s a great industry to be part of, the mining industry and construction overall can be overlooked by people, especially women. Mining can carry the perception that it’s dirty, hands-on, and physically demanding, however it’s important for women to get involved! We come to work with a different perspective where we can offer new thought processes to daily tasks.  

It’s also one of the most rewarding industries to be part of because we build things. It is a very tangible industry, and rewarding to physically see the part you played in building a road and that aggregate you produced had a part in building something larger.  

What excites you about the job and industry? 

First, the people. I have a great team and take pride in developing them into successful leaders. They are some of the most hardworking and humble people you will ever meet. I also love mining itself, crushing rock, the process of finding reserves and building mine plans. I love working with our teams to optimize our plants, working and learning how to improve, all while taking care of our people and keeping safety at the forefront of everything we do.   

What would you say to a woman looking for advice on joining the industry? 

Jump in with both feet because you won’t regret it. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and take ownership of the jobs you’re given. Don’t be intimidated by the industry because we have people that want to share their knowledge and teach you. Bring your voice and skills; we have a seat at the table.  

I’d also share that we’ve come so far as an industry. When I joined the industry, there weren’t a lot of women role models for me to look up to, but there were a lot of men who coached me, helped me develop my career and have cheered me on from the beginning. It’s exciting to see more women getting started in our industry, and it makes me proud of our progress and excited to provide a perspective for the next generation. Don’t underestimate the small changes that we can make along the way that make a big impact. The next generation will continue to have opportunities to make the industry even better for those that follow them. 

Learn more about how Heritage Construction + Materials recognizes and celebrates the integral role of women in the construction industry here.