From Pageants to Construction: Julianna's Gritty Journey

0:00In Tampa Bay, it's March 2nd. Here's what is happening. It's Women in Construction Week, and one standout story comes from Julianna Nickel in Tampa, Florida. Back in 2022, she left behind a string of beauty pageant titles for a hard hat in a new career in construction. Today, she's a senior project engineer at J.E. Dunn Construction, proving that glamour and grit can mix. Nickel held titles like Miss Clearwater, Outstanding Teen, Miss Manatee County Outstanding Teen, Miss St. Petersburg, and Miss Gainesville for two. Years thanks to the COVID extension. She says the switch from runway to job side felt natural thanks to the leadership skill she picked up along the way. Those pageant experiences, especially the interview rounds, have directly helped her communicate on construction projects and build strong teams. It's all about being confident and poised under pressure, no matter the setting. Now, she spends time at job fairs, particularly at her alma mater University of Florida, encouraging women to join the field.

1:03She highlights how the industry offers real opportunities for those ready to work hard. Her advice to young women is simple, invest in yourself, build your network, and chase your goals. The construction world needs more women like her to keep growing. This DNA story is thanks to our sponsor details in the description. Podcasts hit different when the sound comes from your pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense. S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com