It's worth the struggle

Gus Alexander's seems to think that women are repelled by the construction industry (8 August, page 27). Well, I found it an extremely attractive prospect. I had no trouble getting my first job as it seems most firms and local authorities (where I started out) are keen to get their token female on board. But since then I have encountered obstacles, despite having completed an HNC in civil engineering followed by an honours degree in building surveying.

I still find that my decisions, and even my presence on site, are questioned much more readily than those of my male colleagues. I am constantly asked what qualifications and experience I have and why I didn't choose a more "suitable" job. Recently, parking at a site, I was told to move my car as the shops were shut and it was dangerous – they assumed I was shopping.

This sort of preconception is not just imposed by men on women. Even female clients have actually told me that they feel more confident dealing with a man.

In the company I work for now, the number of women is increasing slowly but steadily. I would like to reassure any women thinking of joining any construction profession that despite the uphill struggle, this is a rewarding area to work in and I wish more women would ignore those career advisers who tell them to "choose something you can actually do".