Cathy Urciuoli
What caused you to/when did you to enter the HVACR industry?
With the toy industry stores closing their doors and manufacturer reps phasing out, I came across the service dispatcher position at Encon. I thought this opportunity could be a good fit, and I gave it a shot.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of working in HVACR?
The relationships I have built with my coworkers and customers alike. Internally, we are a cohesive tight-knit group that is always willing to step up to the plate when needed. Externally, we tend to keep our customers for a long time, and those long-term relationships come with trust, so I feel my communication has helped contribute to our success.
Describe the proudest moment in your career.
There have been a few, but one that sticks in my mind the most would have to be winning the Robert Ventura employee of the year award. It comes with a lot of hard work, and it was an honor to receive such recognition.
What challenges do women face in this profession? Can you give a personal example?
Females are certainly the minority in this industry, and on top of that, I didn’t have any industry experience, which made it difficult at the beginning. But like everyone, you must prove your worth. Once my value and contributions were recognized by the team, I quickly became a welcomed and respected member of the team.
How can we increase the number of women in HVACR?
By keeping the doors open to everyone and utilizing the strengths of a female candidate. There are numerous opportunities in this industry in which women would be a great fit, and companies need to hire for these various positions — from field technicians to salespeople to office operational staff. As more females get hired, the stigma of a male dominated industry starts to lessen, and over time it becomes “normal” to see woman in our industry.
What does your day-to-day job entail?
My job starts the moment the emails and calls start coming in. This includes job coordination, service scheduling, billing, and working closely with the project management team to ensure all jobs are properly manned. Each day requires flexibility and the ability to pivot and change course when the schedule get thrown: a wrench, weather, personnel, supply chain issues, etc. You never know what kind of day it will be.
What remains on your HVACR bucket list — what do you aspire to do that you haven’t accomplished yet?
I would really like to visit a jobsite the day of a large crane rig. I know how the internal processes work and coordination, but I want to get a feel for the behind the scenes from a technician’s standpoint. Maybe do a swap of roles for the day with a technician so they can answer the phones and dispatch.
What advice do you have for females who are considering entering the HVACR field?
Keep your head up and always be on your toes. This world comes with a variety of adversity, but also that of opportunity to succeed. We need to stick together and play off our strength as women.
