Women Are Building the Future

Imagine this: you’re driving past an impressive project like Zuidasdok, see a tunnel or bridge taking shape, and suddenly think: I want to be part of this. For many women, that thought still seems a bridge too far. The infrastructure sector is often seen as a man’s world. But nothing could be further from the truth. There’s also a huge opportunity for women to carve out a place for themselves in this dynamic and impactful industry. We spoke with Stephanie Maaskant and Lotte Boot from Sprinter Search.

Fifteen years ago, things were different, Stephanie explains. “Back then, women in civil engineering were still few and far between.” She stumbled into the industry by chance and immediately felt at home there. “My fascination with the field grew quickly: What exactly does a site supervisor do? How does a project manager work? What’s involved in building a tunnel or a bridge?” That curiosity was the first step toward a career in which she—albeit indirectly—helps build a better Netherlands by helping professionals find the right job in infrastructure.

What makes the sector so special, in her view, is its enormous diversity. “Civil engineering touches on everything: from roads and waterworks to the energy transition. No two days are the same.” At Sprinter, she focuses primarily on mid-level management. “You can work as a work planner, site supervisor, modeler, designer, or even advance to roles in integrated project management (IPM). Whether you have a vocational, college, or university background, there’s always a place where your talent can shine.”

And here’s some good news: the demand for women is growing. “Clients are increasingly indicating that they want to strengthen their teams with female professionals,” says Lotte. “Not just for the sake of diversity, but also because women often bring a slightly different perspective and communication style. They have a good sense of organizational cultures, ask different questions, and build connections in a way that strengthens teams.”

Lotte advises women—and men, too, who are unsure whether they’re still in the right place in their current role—to simply get in touch. “Sometimes you just need that extra push, a listening ear, or a little mental support. Think of it as a personal journey where we look not only at your resume, but above all at who you are. What gives you energy? What are you missing in your current job? And what really needs to change?”

By digging two layers deeper, we create a match that works not only on paper but also in practice, Stephanie emphasizes. Professionals therefore receive intensive guidance. “From the initial interview to preparing for job interviews and even beyond. We’re not technical experts and can’t assess how good someone is based on an introductory meeting alone, but we do have an eye for soft skills. That’s the strength of women in engineering. We have a very different conversation.”

The future of infrastructure is wide open. “With major challenges in the areas of renovation and maintenance, asset management, and the energy transition, there is a massive shortage of talent,” Lotte notes. “And that presents opportunities—for entry-level professionals, but certainly also for experienced professionals, including women who are ready to take the second, third, or even fourth step in their careers.”

So, are you on the fence? Or are you just curious? Think of this as an invitation. “Infrastructure is a sector where you grow and see the results of your work every day. Thanks to strong relationships with organizations, opportunities arise that you would never have found on your own. Maybe someday you’ll drive past a project and no longer think, ”I want to work here,’ but rather, ‘I helped build this.’”