As part of Women in Construction Week #WICWeek (March 1–7, 2026), IECRM is celebrating women shaping the electrical and construction trades. Today, we’re proud to highlight Mallory Otocki, a 3rd-Year Electrical Apprentice with Magee Electric.
What inspired you to pursue an electrical apprenticeship, and what has kept you motivated along the way?
“I was inspired to join the electrical field by the idea of working not only with my hands, but also using my brain,” Mallory explained. “I previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, but I found that an office environment wasn’t the right fit for me at this point in my life. When I thought about what would make me happy in a career, I remembered that at three years old I told my parents I wanted to be a construction worker when I grew up. While even I believed this was a silly childhood statement, when I moved to Colorado it became evident to me that I needed to have a fresh start and that the electrical field could make that 3 year old girl, as well as the 32 year old one, extremely happy. Almost 4 years later and I can’t imagine what had taken me so long to come to the realization that this was meant for me all along.”
What’s a challenge you’ve faced in the industry, and how did you work through it?
“One ongoing challenge I continue to encounter relates to perceptions about ability. Early on, I was often asked if I needed help with tasks that my peers were not, which sometimes reflected assumptions about capability rather than intention. While I understand these offers often come from politeness or a desire to help, the experience highlighted the need to prove myself through action.”
“Over time, I have worked to demonstrate that I can perform the same tasks as anyone else. I do not accept help simply because it might be easier, and I approach each day as an opportunity to grow — both in my own skills and in the way others perceive my abilities. By consistently doing my work to the same standard as everyone else, I aim to challenge preconceived notions and show that dedication and competence define success in this industry.”
Why do you think it’s important for women to be visible in the electrical and construction trades?
“Visibility is key,” Mallory said. “The more women are seen thriving in the industry, the more we can challenge the idea that construction is only for certain groups. Representation encourages young women to consider careers in the trades and helps create a more supportive environment. When individuals lift each other up and work together, lasting change is possible. And when someone is told they can’t do something, it often motivates them to prove what they’re capable of.”
What does building an inclusive and supportive workplace in the electrical industry look like to you?
“Building a supportive and inclusive workspace in the electrical field is actually quite simple, in theory. All we need is an environment where women are respected, treated as equals, given the same opportunities, and never seen as exceptions or less than. For centuries, women in every field have yearned for the same thing: to work and be treated like everyone else—not seen as weak, constantly singled out, or worried about any form of harassment. What everyone truly desires is the ability to succeed or fail based solely on their abilities, not their gender.”
“While I said that a supportive and inclusive workspace is simple in theory, it is not so simple in reality. The stigma attached to women in the trades has been in place long before any of us, and it truly takes action and visibility to change it. I never want to be told I was given a job or responsibility simply because I am a woman, but I always want to be told I was given it because I deserved it. And I believe we can get to that place together.”
Through stories like Mallory’s, IECRM continues to highlight the women who are shaping the future of the electrical and construction trades.
Join us in celebrating Women in Construction Week, March 1–7, 2026. Post your photos and tag them with #WICWeek #iecrm #IECRMstudent!
