Laura Doligosa never planned to become an ironworker, but once she discovered her capabilities in construction, she was determined to prove what she could do. Now she’s building both structures and her reputation as one of the few Filipino Americans in her local.
Q: How did you end up in the trades?
“I fell into it completely by accident. I was out of work when a friend got me a job with a residential builder in the north suburbs, where she worked. I started just cleaning finished houses, but my boss kept asking me to take on different, more physical tasks. I kept saying yes because everything was new, and I enjoyed the challenge of discovering what I was capable of.
Before I knew it, I was throwing out trash, transporting materials, painting, climbing on roofs, doing demolition—ripping up carpets, tearing out walls. One day, I realized people were calling me a laborer. That’s when I started thinking about learning a skilled trade, which led me to Chicago Women in Trades. They helped me get into the Ironworkers.”
Q: What made you choose a career as an ironworker?
“I love the variety. Every day brings completely different aspects of the work, and I enjoy the challenge. But honestly, I lace up my boots every day for the money and benefits. If you’re consistent, dependable, and focused on production, the work can be stable and rewarding. It’s straightforward in that way.”
Q: What was the most valuable part of your CWIT training?
“Getting my attitude ready for work. You need the right mindset for physical labor and the rough environment of the trades. There are days when you’re bleeding and sweating while being yelled at—that’s when you see who can handle it and who can’t. Mental strength is just as important as physical strength.
The 360-degree awareness training was crucial, too. You have to keep your head on a swivel because a million things can be happening at once, where you might suddenly need to duck or get out of the way. That awareness can save your life.”
Q: What does the CWIT community mean to you?
“I’m grateful to the organization that helped build my career, so I feel loyal to the people at CWIT. It’s this beautiful community of really hard-working, down-to-earth people who are willing to do some of the hardest, most dangerous jobs. With that comes some colorful personalities.
I remember looking around the room at one of our “no shower” happy hour Fridays and realizing these tradeswomen are exactly the kind of people you’d want to rebuild after a hurricane. Everyone here has skills that can be applied outside of work as well. These are practical, capable people.”
