Jayde Duncan’s construction education started the way it does for a lot of new homeowners. Something broke. Then something else did.
Instead of handing the problem to someone else and hoping for a fair price, she decided to understand it herself. She watched YouTube tutorials, asked contractors questions, and stayed close while they worked.
“I didn’t want any contractor taking advantage of my lack of knowledge, so I learned as much as I could about any issue that may come up at my home or any family member’s home.”
That curiosity eventually led her to Project JumpStart. Only a few weeks after graduation, she accepted an offer to join Barton Malow as a Project Engineer, starting in early November. Her story shows that a path into construction doesn’t always start on a jobsite.
A Baltimore Native Ready to Invest in Herself
Jayde grew up in Baltimore City and now lives in Catonsville. She describes herself as motivated and goal-oriented, someone who believes in continuous growth and loves turning an idea into something real.
Before Project JumpStart, Jayde had already built experience in residential construction, property management, and project coordination while studying to become a realtor. That work sharpened her organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
She found Project JumpStart the same way she had learned to fix things: on YouTube. While watching a podcast, she heard a program graduate describe how the resources at Project JumpStart helped him move forward in his construction career.
The timing was right. “I was at a point in my life when I was ready to invest in myself and pursue a new opportunity,” she said. She wanted practical skills, real exposure to an industry where men still make up most of the workforce, and a stronger foundation for her future.
Showing Up Without All the Answers
Starting meant tradeoffs. Jayde gave up her weeknights to attend classes, and she was looking to deepen her construction knowledge and gain more formal, hands-on training.
“I reminded myself that I didn’t have to know everything on day one. I just needed to be willing to show up, listen, work hard, and remain open-minded.”
Training combined hands-on construction instruction with OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, and job readiness preparation. For Jayde, the toughest part was electrical work. She pushed through by staying focused, studying the basics, and asking her instructors questions whenever she made mistakes.
The most valuable lesson went beyond any single skill. “Construction involves much more than what people see on a jobsite,” she said. “It takes teamwork, planning, communication, attention to detail, and coordination to bring a project together.”
Training also changed how she saw herself. She came to recognize how the skills she had already built could transfer to new opportunities in construction, and she gained the confidence to explain her value to employers.
Doing the Work to Land the Job
Jayde treated her job search as a daily commitment. She applied for positions every day, both before and after graduation, using Indeed, LinkedIn, networking events, and the Project JumpStart job board.
“My goal was to get my foot in the door at a company that saw my worth from the beginning.”
Stepping Up to Barton Malow
Jayde has accepted an offer to join Barton Malow as a Project Engineer and will begin her new role in early November. In her new role, she will support project operations, coordinate information between the field and the office, manage project documentation, and help the project team keep work organized and moving forward.
She pursued the opportunity because she was ready for the next step. “I wanted to continue challenging myself and position myself for long-term career growth,” she said. She sees Barton Malow as a place to keep learning, take on more responsibility, and grow alongside experienced construction professionals.
Project engineering sits between the field and the office, and Jayde’s hands-on training will shape how she approaches that work. “Hands-on training gives you a greater appreciation for the people doing the work in the field,” she said. “I want to approach my work with an understanding that every drawing, submittal, schedule, and communication supports the people responsible for building the project.”
The habits she expects to rely on most are the ones she practiced at Project JumpStart: communication, teamwork, attention to detail, accountability, a willingness to learn, and being on time for everything.
Project JumpStart is grateful to employers like Barton Malow that recognize the value, experience, and potential our graduates bring to the construction industry.
Women Belong in Construction
Jayde is joining a growing group. Women made up 11.3% of total construction employment in 2025, the highest share in 20 years, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The same analysis notes that women remain far less represented in construction and maintenance occupations, where the industry’s need for workers is greatest. eyeonhousingeyeonhousing
Jayde sees that gap as an opportunity. “Women belong in construction, whether they’re working in the field, coordinating projects, managing teams, or leading companies.”
Her advice to other women is practical. “You don’t have to know everything before you begin. Be willing to ask questions, advocate for yourself, work hard, and take advantage of opportunities that help you develop.” She also encourages women to know their worth, including when it comes to compensation.
What Employers Can Learn From Jayde’s Story
The industry needs people like Jayde. According to Associated Builders and Contractors, construction needs to attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026 to meet demand, and that number grows to 456,000 in 2027 as construction spending growth is expected to resume. ABC attributes most of the 2026 demand to retirements rather than new construction activity. News Releases +2
Closing that gap means looking at candidates differently. Jayde’s résumé did not follow a traditional path into commercial construction, but she brought real experience in residential construction, project coordination, contractor management, property management, and solving problems under pressure.
Her story also reflects the range of people who come through Project JumpStart. Participants arrive with different backgrounds, experiences, and career goals. Some are entering construction for the first time, while others bring transferable skills or previous industry experience and are looking for a pathway to advance. Project JumpStart helps participants build on where they are, adding technical training, industry credentials, employer connections, and career support that can help them move to the next level.
Jayde’s message to employers who are unsure about hiring a Project JumpStart graduate:
“Look beyond someone’s previous job titles and consider their potential, work ethic, willingness to learn, and transferable skills. Sometimes, investing in someone who is eager to grow can make a lasting difference for both the employee and the employer.”
Still Building
In five years, Jayde sees herself as an advanced Project Manager who leads projects, supports a team, and keeps expanding her technical knowledge through certifications and professional development.
“Where you start doesn’t have to determine where you finish,” she said. “You can continue learning, take chances on yourself, and build toward something greater.”
As Project JumpStart celebrates 20 years in Baltimore, Jayde had a message for the people who built and support the program: “Thank you for investing in people and creating opportunities for individuals to build a better future for themselves.”
She’s also clear that her story isn’t finished. “My journey is still unfolding. I hope my story encourages someone else to take that first step, even if they aren’t sure exactly where it will lead.”
Ready to Take Your First Step?
Thinking about a career in construction? Jayde’s advice: don’t count yourself out before you give yourself a chance. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You need a willingness to learn and the determination to keep going. Apply to Project JumpStart
Hiring for 2027? Project JumpStart connects contractors with trained, job-ready graduates at no cost to employers. Connect with our team