On October 12, GBCA’s Construction Leadership Council hosted a virtual Coffee Chat with Shawn Carlin, Vice President of Business Operations in Gilbane Building Company’s Philadelphia office. The informal meeting, hosted by CLC Chair Christina Pasquariello of P. Agnes, Inc., provided GBCA’s young and emerging construction professionals an opportunity to hear from an experienced construction executive, and to ask frank questions about working in Philadelphia’s commercial construction industry.
Shawn shared about how he stayed in the city he grew up in, graduating from Temple University, after switching from architecture to engineering. His career journey to Gilbane, his mentors, and why emotional intelligence and growing your network are two of the most important things you can do to better yourself in this industry.
Some highlights from Shawn Carlin:
- Listen and observe first. Be bold and ask questions, but ask humbly.
- A career is a marathon, not a sprint. Look at how you’re building your resume, and ask if what you’re doing will provide to your experience down the line, or just provide you benefits right now.
- Never be scared to fail. Some of the best lessons are the negative ones, where you learn about what didn’t work.
- Use the Chameleon style approach. Understand to whom you’re talking and change your approach depending on what that persons wants and needs are.
- Two things to always remember: 1) Emotional intelligence is important – consider the needs of others; 2) Build and grow your network. Build relationships that benefit more than yourself. A good working relationship can be what sets you apart from your competition.
Unless you’re uncomfortable, you’re not growing.
Shawn Carlin, Gilbane Building Company
