Workforce Spotlight: Ariya McDonald

Pictured: Shelley Ryan (left), Ariya McDonald (right)

When Ariya McDonald moved from Los Angeles to Chicago, she was ready for a fresh start — career and all.

Ariya’s search led her to Chicago, a trade-heavy city that met her criteria, and Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), where she completed a pre-apprenticeship program earlier this year. Soon after, she joined the team at BrightView as a Safety Manager for the Obama Presidential Center project and recently transitioned into a new Project Engineer role. 

Lakeside Alliance spoke with Ariya about what she’s learned on the job, what it means to contribute to the Center and more. Read on!

How did you get started in construction?

I had a completely different path back home in Los Angeles, where I was working at Home Depot and going to school for nursing at the same time. A loss in my life actually led me to think about changing things up. After seeing that Chicago was a trades-heavy city, I moved there and started CWIT’s pre-apprenticeship program. Right before graduation, I attended a BrightView hiring session, interviewed and got a call back two weeks later with a Safety Manager opportunity at the Obama Presidential Center. I was so excited to get my feet wet!

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Something meaningful for me is seeing how much the site changes everyday. I also appreciate the chance to jump in and help with so many different things: I learned to lay sod, cut geofoam, understand layout and facilitate communications between the field and the office. You’re always learning. In my new role, I want to learn how to manage site logistics, adjust design documents, monitor schedules, RFIs and so much more. I enjoy seeing how everything fits together.

What might people find surprising about the work BrightView is doing on site?

I think people might be surprised by the complexity of what goes into a project like this. You have to think about the existing city structures, what’s layered on top (the right combination of gravel, sand and layers of soil), the mulch, shrubs, trees, irrigation and sprinkler heads. There’s also the geofoam beneath it all. It’s incredibly intricate work that takes skill, effort and time. And at the end of the day, it’s human beings making all of this happen!

What is it like working with Lakeside Alliance?

They have been really friendly, patient and understanding with me. People get along here and when there’s an issue we communicate. Shelley Ryan at BrightView is such a good example of the culture of the job site: she will stop and help me understand how to get something right whenever I need. That’s how you learn. I am less intimidated by the industry than I was before.

What does it mean to you to be a part of the project?

I was 15 years old when President Obama left office. I have so many childhood memories of my family talking about him, so it means a lot to me to do this work for the leader I grew up with. Professionally, this is a high profile job site and I hope what I’ve accomplished here speaks volumes to my personal growth and what I am capable of.

Have you had a mentor in your career that has helped you get to where you are today? Is there someone you look up to on site?

To help prepare me for a career in the trades, the women at CWIT were really fantastic — I wouldn’t have wanted to learn from anyone else. Here on site, from day one it has to be Shelley! She is Superwoman. Seeing her stay on top of her many responsibilities while still being a good person and a good mentor encourages me to keep growing until I can be on her level someday. It means a lot to have a woman like Shelley to look up to.

What is your greatest hope for the outcome of the Obama Presidential Center?

I know it will do good for the community, and I hope the community utilizes it to its fullest. For the President’s legacy, I hope it does him justice. Everyone here is talented, open, honest and willing to support each other. I think that speaks to what President Obama stood for. I look forward to finishing it soon so more people can enjoy and participate in it.