As a nontraditional student, Smock, a native of West Fork, Arkansas, spent 10 years working in construction before deciding to return to school. Currently an estimator at , she credits her career path to an unexpected opportunity during a difficult time in her life.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 choose construction, construction chose me,鈥� Smock said. 鈥淎fter leaving the Navy, I found myself with nothing. My previous boss saw potential in me and took a chance. That鈥檚 how I got started, and I鈥檝e never looked back.鈥�

Smock鈥檚 experience in construction, from highway inspection at an engineering firm to estimating for one of the state鈥檚 largest contractors, has given her a deep understanding of the industry. Now, as president of the AGC student chapter, she is focused on connecting students with industry professionals and creating career opportunities.

鈥淚 spend a lot of time making sure students get the connections they need to start careers, not just internships,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e bring in guest speakers from the industry, partner with professional organizations, and put on networking events. Our students are getting real-world knowledge, not just textbook learning.鈥�

Through AGC, Smock has helped organize student events like trivia nights, crawfish boils, and professional meetups, all designed to introduce students to potential employers. In addition to the student chapter, Smock is also a member of Arkansas AGC, Women in Transportation, Women of Asphalt, National Association of Women in Construction, Construction Leadership Committee, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Industry Advisory Board.

Beyond building career pathways, Smock is also an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness in the construction industry.

鈥淚鈥檓 a massive advocate for suicide prevention,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ental health struggles are an epidemic in our industry, and we need to start talking about them. One of my biggest goals is to organize a suicide prevention event through AGC. To get people talking is the first step.鈥�

As the first person in her family to attend college and one of the few women in her field, Smock understands the challenges female students face in construction.

鈥淭his is a male-dominated world, not just industry,鈥� she said. 鈥淲omen in construction have to fight for a seat at the table. It鈥檚 so important to let girls and women know that their seat is there, and their seat is valid. We鈥檝e worked hard for it, and we deserve to be here.鈥�

For Women in Construction Week, Smock wants to send a message to young women considering a career in the field: keep going.

鈥淵ou will run into challenges, but it gets better,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are people who will stand behind you. This industry is what you make it, and you can make it something beautiful.鈥�

After graduation, Smock plans to continue her career in construction while taking some well-earned time to catch up on reading. She already has more than 120 books on her to-read list.

As she looks forward to finishing her degree, she remains committed to supporting future students and breaking down barriers for women in construction.

鈥淚 think Women in Construction Week should be a month, not a week,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 vital to celebrate the women who have stepped out of their comfort zone to take on this industry headfirst. It鈥檚 not an easy choice, but it鈥檚 one of the most rewarding choices you鈥檒l ever make.鈥�

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Cates, a senior from Conway, will graduate this summer with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in construction management. As a passionate advocate for women in construction, she will be among a group of women sharing their experience about how to become a leader in the construction industry by enhancing their career through education. The National Association of Women in Construction will host the special breakfast panel event on March 6.

鈥淭he industry is not easy,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here will be times when you get discouraged, but I would encourage people to keep going. That is the beauty of what we do. You never stop learning. You should always work hard and keep your head up, especially the women going into this field.鈥�

Cates is partially following in the footsteps of her grandfather, who used to build houses and served as an inspiration for her to work in construction. After graduating from Vilonia High School in 2019, Cates first started working in an electrical apprenticeship, but she soon received a shock that jolted her to reconsider getting a college education.

鈥淲e were working a job, and I got shocked by 277 volts changing a light out, fell down a ladder, and a perspective change happened,鈥� Cates said. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to work in construction, but I knew I wanted a little more security than I had. I stayed with that company for my apprenticeship doing distribution gas work. One day I picked up a shovel, and I thought that I could be doing so much more with my life. I applied the next week and got accepted to come to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. It was a pretty big life change, and I fell in love with it.鈥�

While at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Cates has been involved in the student chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Dean鈥檚 Student Leadership Board for the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and the Industry Advisory Board for the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering. She鈥檚 also completed internships at Clinton National Airport and Baldwin & Shell Construction Company, which has led to a full-time career opportunity.

鈥淎fter I finished my internship with Baldwin and Shell last August, they kept me on part-time as a field operations co-op,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n my career path, I鈥檓 geared toward a superintendent position, but that will be five or six years out. This position is giving me a better understanding of what a superintendent does and preparing me for that position. I work very closely with the superintendents and stay glued to their hips all day. I get to ask questions and learn.鈥�

Cates said that her biggest accomplishment at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has been the start of a new topping out ceremony to honor graduating students from the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering.

鈥淚t was my baby, and I watched the idea grow and became reality,鈥� Cates said. 鈥淐hancellor Drale is coming to the next topping out ceremony this semester, and it鈥檚 gratifying to know that we are getting recognition from the highest point at the university.鈥�

Cates said her second biggest accomplishment is helping to grow the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock AGC Student Chapter and getting it started back to what it used to be.

鈥淪eeing people like Jill in this program is what makes this enjoyable to me,鈥� said Instructor Stuart Scheiderer. 鈥淭o single out one thing she has done would slight other things, but she has taken the AGC student chapter from virtually nothing coming out of the pandemic to a strong student organization. She has organized several events to support local industry organizations, developed the topping out ceremony and coordinated the Mardi Gras event at Riggs Cat in February. Jill never hesitates to take on more responsibility or leadership and performs exceptionally well.鈥�

Cates said that it鈥檚 important to celebrate Women in Construction Week because women bring unique insight to a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.

鈥淚 think that women bring a perspective and so much to the table that is different than what men have traditionally brought, and I think that is something to recognize and celebrate,鈥� she said.

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