HIGH POINT, N.C. — Women make up 9 percent of the construction worker work force in the nation. That number grows smaller when you talk about who's on the frontline of a job site. However, one Rockingham County woman is leading the charge and a part of that small number.
Spotting men on a construction site is normal, but women? Not so much. That doesn't stop Courtney Reynolds from giving it her all every day on job sites.
"As a kid, I didn't have any girlfriends," Reynolds said. "I did hang out with the guys, played baseball, played softball and it just comes naturally to hang out with that group."
Hard hats and boots aren't always her daily uniform. She's in the on-site trailer managing the work as an assistant project manager.
"When I had the opportunity to work for a general contractor, it was kind of sink or swim and I swam," Reynolds said. "I really enjoyed the swim."
From college drop-out to leading an $80 million new dorm complex at High Point University, this is a full circle moment for Reynolds.
"When I was in college, I didn't have a particular path of what I wanted to do," Reynolds said.
After two colleges and three majors, Reynolds left school in search of a career fit.
"I managed a couple of restaurants during that time," Reynolds said.
One of the restaurant owners offered Reynolds a life-changing opportunity.
"He knew that I could manage people and manage a restaurant, so he trusted me to help him and manage his construction team," Reynolds said.
She says it wasn't an easy move, but it was the right one.
"It took me about 5 or 6 years to get comfortable, of course, because it was brand new to me," Reynolds said.
Although general construction was a new job industry for Reynolds, it wasn't new to her family.
"My dad was in the HVAC business," Reynolds said. "Growing up, he actually built one of our homes, so I was around it. I just didn't know if I would enjoy it or not."
Now, she said she loves it, and this project is one of the proudest moments in her career.
"There will be 213 dorms, three or four restaurants, a coffee shop and juice bar, an E-sports, yoga studio, and several lounges where the students can study," Reynolds said.