University of Virginia Encourages Girls to Consider Careers in FM

Institutional and commercial facilities are always trying new and creative ways to attract younger people to the facilities management industry.

As part of its efforts, the University of Virginia recently hosted its first Girls Day, allowing members of their Facilities Management team to bring girls between the ages of 12-18 to work to participate in activities aimed at showing them the profession.

The university employs more than 1,200 people in facilities. The day included touring jobsites, shadowing experienced professionals and participating in activities as well.

Virginia’s facilities management department includes a number of women in leadership roles, and the girls who attended got the chance to speak with the managers about their jobs and their career paths.

“The core of this event is to encourage more women in these non-traditional fields,” says Associate Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Don Sundgren in a press release.

In an industry where management typically finds the next generation of employees through the military and sometimes rather unconventional paths, reaching out to girls before they complete high school can help them prepare for a career in facilities.

Smart move, Virginia. What kinds of events are your facilities trying to attract the next generation?

For more on women in the FM industry, check out this article from Building Operating Management Senior Editor Naomi Millan.

This quick read was submitted by Dave Lubach, associate editor for Facility Maintenance Decisions. Reach him at dave.lubach@tradepress.com.

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