Kanei Smith, a member of Roofers & Waterproofers Local 8, has been working in the unionized construction industry since she graduated from Construction Skills in 2008.

Kanei pursued a career in the unionized construction industry because she’s always been good with her hands and because most of the women in her family are in the construction industry. She’s passionate about demolition and working with machinery.

A typical day for Kanei consists of working with a crew that feels like family, “ We communicate very well, we laugh and joke throughout the day which makes the day go quicker. But it’s still hard work. It’s definitely a workout. I don’t think I have to join the gym!” Usually, Kanei leaves for work at 5:15 a.m, gets to work at 6:30 a.m. When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Kanei responded, “Everything! I enjoy the workout, the people, the experience of learning new things every day.” Although she sometimes feels nervous about heights, it doesn’t stop her from getting the job done.

Since becoming a union member, Kanei says it’s been a lot different from the other work she has done in the past, “I’ve seen construction workers on roofs before but I didn’t know what they were doing. I just heard a lot of noise. But now I’m up there doing what they’re doing. It’s like an adventure. It’s just a different experience. It’s amazing. I’m having fun so I’m not complaining. I have a little more structure in my life now too.” Kanei also says her financial status has improved because her work has enabled her to pay her bills on time and shop when she has a little bit of extra cash. Before she became a roofer, Kanei says she wasn’t able to do that for herself—only her kids—but now she can shop for herself too. She can start saving and hopefully in her third or fourth year get a house and live how she truly wants to.

Kanei hopes to become a journeyperson in the near future and further down the line she’d like to be a project manager. Although she knows she will have to work very hard, she’s more than willing to do so and is proud of that.

When asked about the advice she would you give to someone interested in Construction Skills, Kanei said “Do it! No matter what field you want to go into, you learn some of everything in Construction Skills. Women can do construction too. It’s not just a man’s job—not that at all. You just have to have the drive and the heart.”

Kanei has three daughters, who are all excited about her work. She resides with her three girls in East New York, Brooklyn.