As we celebrate Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week, Plumbing & Mechanical is shining the spotlight on 10 influential women who are leading the plumbing industry to great success.

Meet Alayna Chavez, Parker & Sons, Plumber

What made you choose a career in the plumbing industry?

AC: I actually tried to go to college for business management, and it just didn’t work out. I moved in with my mom to figure things out, and she worked at the Women's Resource Center in Florida. They had a brochure of free trade school opportunities, and my mom told me I should really take advantage of it because I’m good with my hands. Plumbing was the only trade being offered at the time. So I took the chance, and I went to trade school for free, graduated and I haven’t turned back since. That was seven years ago.

What has been the most rewarding/proudest aspect of your career in the plumbing industry?

AC: I would say giving back. Being able to be that service technician to a single mom of four working hard and she comes home to the water heater being completely flooded. Being able to just take care of them and get them up and running feels good. It feels good to be that person who is needed for America so they can take hot showers and flush the toilet. And the household is about 80% plumbing. So it's an important need to have, and it just feels good that I'm needed because I'm part of the health of the nation.

What challenges do women face in this profession? Why aren’t there more women in plumbing? How can we increase the number of women in the industry?

AC: The mindset of other people. That's the hardest challenge. When you show up at someone's house, especially the older generation, and they don't know anything. You haven't spoken but they judge you because you're a woman showing up. That's the hard part. But by the end of the call, they're asking, ‘Hey, can I get your card so I can call you next time?’

And I think women don't go into the trades or plumbing is just because everyone in society has labeled us as showing butt crack and dealing with with poop — they keep forgetting that we protect the health of the nation. We have everything to do with water as well. Without us, hospitals wouldn't be up and running. Dentists wouldn't be up and running. Dunkin' Donuts wouldn't be up and running. There's so many aspects when it comes to water.

Education needs to start in elementary and middle school. We need to start getting those classes at a young age. I volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club for four years — my age group was seventh-grade to freshmen — and those kids came back every week. They loved plumbing, they loved everything you can think of from soldering to putting a toilet together. It needs to start early in that age group so then we can change the mindset of the next generation coming up — who them it's OK to be a female or a male in the industry.

What advice do you have for prospective women considering entering the plumbing industry?

AC: To go for it and to keep asking questions. Don’t be afraid to stand your ground, especially since it's a male-dominated field. The moment you show up at the job site, you're going to be judged and looked at, but the moment you're able to show your knowledge, you get a lot of respect. I've heard a lot of stories of women not making it because of men and the comments that they make, but overall, if you find your group and those plumbers are willing to help, it makes it a lot easier where there's no judgment, no comments, stuff like that. But I definitely think women should give it a shot. They'd be surprised at how good we are at detail when it comes to plumbing. I've been told we just have patience compared to male plumbers.

What’s one thing nobody knows about you?

AC: One crazy thing about me is I have a tattoo addiction. I get a tattoo every two to three months. I have 12 now. They're all different. I have an octopus, two different birds, two different-style foxes and a couple of different cacti on my body. I get it done about every two to three months because it’s just therapeutic to me. So for my birthday, I'm getting one on the back of my arms.

Follow her plumbing journey on Instagram @alayna.joyy