Shay Callahan, Project Manager, Callahan Construction Managers
Shay Callahan
Shay Callahan is a project manager in the family business, but her path to a career in construction wasn’t as much of a straight line as one would think. After originally pursuing a degree in elementary education and teaching, Shay realized her enthusiasm for the classroom paled in comparison to her interest in the jobsite, and after telling her father that she wanted to explore working for Callahan Construction, she started her journey on the path to becoming a project manager.
But even with the close proximity to a career in construction, Shay still went through the motions of learning the ropes. She pursued additional certifications in construction at the Wentworth Institute of Technology, and began like any other young construction professional as an assistant project manager. Cutting her teeth on wood-framed assisted living community projects north of Boston, Shay grew her project roster to incorporate increasingly complex work, eventually moving onto core and shell fit-outs for private laboratory clients.
In what would become a pivotal moment for her construction career, Shay points to a quiet moment early on with a Callahan project executive to whom she confided in about her reluctance to ask questions in a room full of experienced professionals. That PX advised her to never be scared to raise her hand, and that even the most polished executive will have moments that challenge their years of experience. From that point forward, Shay gained confidence in addressing the unknowns, and a voice that could be heard on every project.
“For any women currently in the field or considering a career in construction, my advice is to be confident in what you bring to the table, pull up a chair, and bring it,” she says. “There will be days with setbacks and days of triumph, but what is most important through it all is that your voice is heard and you remain confident in your craft.”
