As an estimator, I have a well-paying, comfortable office job in this otherwise, onsite, hands-on field. I find it a great way to be involved in a variety of projects at various stages, including new construction and remodels. We work in industrial, education, and healthcare settings, as well as retail and office spaces. A main drawback is that I myself only get to see the finished product if I have personal business to conduct on site after the projects are complete. I usually only work with the blueprints and rarely meet the people we work with, only communicating by phone, fax, and mail. I would have loved to be more involved in the hands-on building or at least the design phase of construction, rather than bidding the finish painting or wallcovering. As a woman, I am very pleased that this job as an estimator has given me almost nine years of experience in this field. It can serve as a stepping stone on the path to a more invlolved role in construction and design in a continuingly more open environment for women.