BUILD YOUR FUTURE: A CONVERSATION WITH SYDNEE HOLMES

In honor of Women in Construction Week, we sat down with Construction Field Engineer, Sydnee Holmes to talk about her journey in the industry, what keeps her passionate about the work, and what she hopes the future holds for women in the trades. 

Let's start at the beginning. When did you first know that construction was the path for you? 

"I fell into construction for two reasons: my dad, and my high school requirements. My dad worked for the DOT, so I already had that connection. But the moment that really changed everything happened in 2013, when a massive flood wiped out more than two-thirds of the state. 

My dad connected me with one of DOT's top engineers to complete my job shadowing and internship requirements during the emergency repair phase. I was 16 years old. That experience gave me a front-row seat to every phase of those repairs. Watching the team work fast, think smart, and get people out of the mountains safely — I was hooked. As soon as I turned 18, I started interning and I didn't stop until I was 22. I still look up to every mentor and contact I made there. They helped shape who I am." 

Was it an easy decision to pursue it, or did you have doubts? 

"It was easy in the sense that it felt like home — my dad has always been in construction, and my great-grandfather owned an asphalt plant and paving company. You could say I was born into this career. But my path to get here was anything but straight. 

I started college as a physics major, transferred twice, restarted my program, and at 22 I was a college freshman again in the civil engineering program at South Dakota Mines. Halfway through, burnout had me questioning everything. I needed to know if transportation was truly my passion or just the path everyone expected me to take. 

So, I took a structural engineering internship in Guam to find out. It was a great experience giving me the clarity I needed. I spent that whole summer mentally comparing the work to my past roles in transportation, and I realized I was fantasizing about getting back to it. That summer proved exactly where I belonged. Now at KLJ, I'm fully committed to the construction and transportation team, and I know without a doubt it's where I'm supposed to be." 

What do you find most interesting or exciting about working in construction? 

"My favorite part is the ever-changing environment. Every project brings a new crew, a new community, and a new set of challenges. I love that I must be relatable, knowledgeable, kind, and firm — sometimes all at once — and that I'm constantly adapting. 

Transportation is one of those things people don't really notice until it's in their way. Nobody wakes up excited about a construction zone. So being part of a new team in a new community means finding ways to connect with people, helping them understand what's happening, and making them feel seen. There are so many moving parts — the crews, the client, the community, the timeline — and I genuinely love the challenge of keeping all of them aligned." 

What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a woman in the industry? 

"Engineering is tough, but construction as a woman presents its own unique challenges. I encountered situations that were unprofessional and uncomfortable — the kind that, unfortunately, too many women in this industry can relate to and there is nothing more frustrating than trying to address them appropriately and not getting the results I deserve.  

But those experiences made me smarter about how I navigate my career. Now I walk into every interview prepared — I ask about female representation, HR support, and make sure I understand what systems are in place for women in the workplace. I now know what a healthy work environment looks like, and how to address it when it doesn't. 

I've also made peace with the fact that as a woman, I'll never be 'one of the guys' and I don't need to be. What matters is mutual respect, and I've found that it's absolutely possible to build that on any job site. I know I belong here, I know my value, and I've learned to make sure others know it too." 

How have you navigated those challenges? 

"I've been truly blessed with the people I've met in this field. A coworker told me during one of my hardest moments in my career that I've never forgotten and helped me move forward in my career. He told me that the people who move up aren't the ones who kept their heads down and just did what they were told. The contenders are the ones who not only do their work and asked questions, but challenged the answers, stood up for what's right and stood up for themselves, their colleagues, and the company. That advice changed me. Since then, I've applied that mindset to everything. I ask more questions and make myself heard. I encourage people to get to know each other. I show my appreciation for what everyone brings to the table and genuinely care for my team. It's not enough to believe in each other — you have to show it." 

What do you wish more people knew about working in construction? 

"Construction is so much more than traffic cones, excavators, and high-viz vests. There's a whole world behind the curtain that most people never see. 

Before a single piece of equipment rolls out, there's been immense research, environmental and historical studies, conversations about who's affected and how to minimize disruption, psychological research — yes, psychological — like reading speed and optical illusions for signage. There are considerations for disability access, native plants, wildlife, and aquatic life. People drive by a finished project and think it just appeared. They have no idea the work behind the final product. 

I wish more young women knew how many different ways there are to plug into a construction project and contribute something meaningful. There really is a place here for every kind of mind." 

What are your hopes for the future of women in construction? 

"I want to see more women in the conversation — literally and figuratively. When we bring more women into engineering and construction, we gain broader perspectives that strengthen safety, sustainability, and efficiency. Diverse teams ask better questions, see risks others might miss, and ultimately build better solutions. 

 I cannot wait to see how far and how fast we go as more girls get exposure to this field and continue breaking down barriers." 

What would you say to a young woman who's considering a career in construction but isn't sure she belongs here? 

"The best advice I ever received from a mentor was this: 'Don't make your passion your career — make your career your passion.' 

There's a vital difference between what you love doing and what you're built to excel at. If you have a knack for STEM but a soul for art, let the STEM career build the foundation of your life. Master the work you're naturally great at, and you earn the freedom to pursue everything else on your own terms. 

You can be the engineer who builds the skyline and the photographer who captures it at sunset. Your career is what you do for the world. Your passion is what you do for yourself. Fall in love with the value you bring to the table — and then bring it." 

This Women in Construction Week, we celebrate the women who showed up before the path was clear — and the ones just now finding their way in. The construction industry is changing, and women are driving that change. 

Inspired by Sydnee's story? We'd love to have you on our team. Explore open opportunities and build your future with us at www.kljeng.com/careers.