Jennifer O’Neill
Customer Operations Lead, Cairn
Jennifer O’Neill, Customer Operations Lead at Cairn, says that female role models within the organisation have encouraged her, empowered her and inspired her to succeed.
What sparked your interest in a career in construction?
Jennifer O’Neill: I studied media production before moving into the travel industry, so the construction industry definitely wasn’t the career path that I’d envisaged for myself. I was attracted to Cairn because it was a chance to be part of an organisation and industry that is contributing to the society.
In what way?
We’re in the middle of a housing crisis. Our company is currently building Seven Mills, Dublin 22’s newest town, located between Lucan and Clondalkin. In the future, when I drive past, I’ll be able to say: ‘I played a part in developing that.’ What a great sense of achievement! Plus, in the customer care team, I’m dealing with people who have spent a lot of time saving to buy a house, which is the biggest, most emotional purchase of their lives. Being able to help them on their journey and see how excited they are when they get the keys to their new home is really rewarding.
It’s been rewarding to help
people and watch them achieve.
How have you been supported in your career ambitions?
I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing role models, both male and female. Take our Chief People Officer — the only female on the leadership team — who is utterly inspiring. Every day she sits in a male-dominated forum with confidence and determination and empowers the rest of us to do the same.
For example, recently, I was the only woman presenting at a senior construction forum in a room of 56 men. Three years ago, I don’t think I could have done that. Now, I have the confidence to know that I have as much right to be there — and as much value to give — as anyone else. I’m also Chair of the Women in Cairn network, which launched this year, so I suppose I’m a role model myself. It’s been rewarding to help people and watch them achieve.
What would you advise women interested in joining construction?
When people hear the word ‘construction,’ all they think about is hard hats and boots. Yet, they should understand that there are many different disciplines within the construction sector. Yes, there’s the site and engineering side, but there’s also everything from sales and marketing to health and safety. As part of a growing company, you have the opportunity to make an impact, no matter what discipline you’re in.
