By Melissa Alonso | March 2026

The construction industry is responsible for building the infrastructure of modern life—from hospitals and housing to schools and transportation systems. Yet women remain significantly underrepresented in the field. 

For Dr. Irish Horsey, that reality has become both a professional challenge and a personal mission. Horsey, a construction industry leader and Georgia Tech alumna, recently returned to campus to speak with students and celebrate the publication of her book focused on helping women navigate careers in construction.

“Construction is one of the most collaborative industries there is,” Horsey told students. “You’re bringing together designers, engineers, contractors, owners—everyone working toward the same goal.” Horsey earned her Ph.D. in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology after spending nearly two decades working in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. 

Today, women represent only about 11 percent of the construction workforce. Increasing that number, she says, is essential to the future of the industry. “We need everyone to build,” Horsey said. “There’s an entire demographic that hasn’t historically been part of this workforce.” 

Horsey emphasized that the construction field offers far more career paths than many students realize. Beyond traditional project management roles, professionals today work in areas including technology integration, sustainability, workforce development, and data-driven construction planning. 

“The industry is evolving quickly,” Horsey said. “Technology is changing how we design, manage, and build projects.” For Horsey, mentorship and visibility are critical to helping more women see themselves in the field. 

“When you can see someone who has taken that path before you, it changes what feels possible,” she said. Events like the Women in Construction gathering at Georgia Tech bring together students, alumni, faculty, and industry leaders to build those connections. 

“The goal is to show students that there are people here who want to support them,” Horsey said. “The next generation of builders is already in this room.”