Her “Stepping-Stone Job” Quickly Became a Career

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

From stay-at-home mom to business development at a roofing company, Rae July made a career out of roofing, unexpectedly. 

Like many in the roofing industry, Rae July fell into roofing and hasn’t looked back since.  After a life-changing experience, this college educated, stay-at-home mom realized she needed to go back to work.  Rae began working at a collection agency after a few job interviews and quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for her.  That’s when she saw an ad to work as an accounting assistant at Chinook Roofing and Gutters.  She decided to interview, wondering, “What’s the worst that can happen?”

During her interview, the general manager at Chinook Roofing expressed to Rae that her qualifications fit more along the lines of being a production coordinator, which is where she began.  Now having been at the company for six years, Rae works in business development.  For the last three years she was doing production management and sales.  Not wanting to divide her attention between her two roles, she has now transitioned to focusing 100% on sales, specifically new construction sales.

This “stepping-stone” job was supposed to help Rae get back on her feet and enter into corporate America.  However, after working at Chinook Roofing for a few months, Rae realized she only looked at the roofs of houses on her drive home from work.  That’s when she knew, “this is my career.”

Chinook Roofing provides a variety of services including new residential construction, shingles, commercial projects, waterproofing and gutters.  While they used to market to homeowners, the company decided to streamline their services, and after restructuring the company, their focus is solely on business-to-business projects.  

While the coronavirus has caused disruptions to everyone’s daily life, Chinook Roofing has remained operational even during the stay-at-home orders.  Rae has been working from home since March 13 when her children started virtual learning.  Many employees are also working from home, however those who are involved in the production process are splitting their time between home and the office to get work orders out.  Employees' schedules are staggered to limit how many people are in the building at one time.  

Jay Inslee, the Washington state governor, announced that construction projects could begin again starting May 4, which can’t come soon enough for Rae.  She’s looking forward to having a routine, driving to work, taking phone calls and being reunited with her coworkers.  Being a close knit group, they have been using Microsoft teams to stay connected, however, Rae comments “I miss being able to see and hug my friends and joke with them.”  

As a result of the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders, Chinook Roofing noticed a drop in production for new construction buildings since a lot of nonessential work couldn’t be done, such as pouring foundation and putting up walls.  While national companies halted progress, many smaller and local companies are doing what they can to abide by the rules and still remain operational.  These are the companies Chinook Roofing has been working closely with during this time, according to Rae.  

Chinook Roofing took advantage of the shutdown, completing some projects earlier than normal.  Because the schools were closed, they could do the work they needed to before June.  Once summer hits, Chinook Roofing will be able to focus on their other projects.  

As construction reopens, there will be some changes and precautions still put in place to keep workers safe, Rae shares.  Each desk is equipped with Lysol and Clorox wipes, workers will continue wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), practice social distancing and stay home if they feel sick.  The other change Rae expects to see is limiting the number of trades working on a project at the same time.  Normally six different trades are at the job site together, which she thinks will be limited to two or three in order to help with social distancing.  

Outside of work, Rae is actively involved in both the PTA for her two children and National Women in Roofing (NWIR).  She is the Seattle council chair and enjoys the community work, educational opportunities and networking events, in addition to the confidence it has instilled in her.  

One of her favorite projects NWIR started last year is SheBuild.  NWIR partnered with Rebuilding Together to install a new roof, gutters and siding on a house, and also do some landscaping.  While this event was supposed to take place in April due to the coronavirus they have postponed the event until July 25, which Rae is looking forward to, sharing, “I love giving them back that joy and helping them feel good about the home they live in.  Your home is your chapel and giving that is something I really enjoy.”

Rae credits NWIR with her personal growth and her confidence to speak up and be more assertive.  After working at Chinook Roofing for one year, the CEO asked Rae what she wanted out of the job and she told him, “Teach me everything you know.”  And that’s exactly what he did.  

Rae recognizes her story of joining the roofing industry is different from other women who have had doors closed on them and been told “no.”  Her advice to women both in the industry or interested in joining the industry is to, “Start asking for what you want, show the interest and put in the work.”  Her involvement and participation with NWIR has allowed her to “Gain a certain level of confidence by being around other women in the industry and observing them and seeing how they carry themselves.”  

The roofing industry found Rae when she least expected it.  Her stepping-stone job has developed into a full-fledged career that she is eager to get back to once construction reopens.  She continues to learn and grow both personally and professionally through her involvement with NWIR and can’t envision herself working in any other industry.

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About NWIR (National Women in Roofing)

National Women in Roofing (NWIR) is a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals. We provide networking, mentoring, education and recruitment opportunities from the rooftop to the boardroom, for the young professional at the start of her career to the seasoned manager in the executive suite.

Our focus is on connecting and empowering women so that their training and leadership skills can help drive the overall betterment and professionalism of the roofing industry. Our membership also includes and welcomes men who support the inclusion of women in the roofing industry. Working together, we are bringing the industry to a new level of excellence by supporting and promoting the contributions of women as an essential component to the future of roofing.

Learn more about joining National Women in Roofing.