Designing Her Future: Sarah Clark’s Story
For as long as she can remember, Sarah Clark has been drawn to creativity and design. The summer before her senior year of high school, a family friend introduced her to CAD and showed her how technical drawings translate into real-world construction. The experience sparked an immediate interest. With his encouragement, she enrolled in the architectural CAD program at Lancaster County Career & Technical Center, where she completed her graduation credits while gaining hands-on technical skills.
Today, Sarah is currently employed as an electrical estimator/drafter at Tekrins, Inc., and is a second-year electrical apprentice at ABC Keystone. She continues to build her technical knowledge both in the office and in the field. In recognition of Women in Construction Week, we sat down with Sarah and asked her a few questions about her career path, goals and what it’s like to be a woman in construction.
How did you learn about ABC Keystone’s apprenticeship program?
I learned about the apprenticeship program through my job at Tekrins. Several members of our team completed the program and later earned their journeyman and master electrician licenses. Seeing the knowledge and experience they gained — and hearing their strong recommendations — made the decision to enroll an easy one for me.
What has been the most challenging part of your apprenticeship so far?
Honestly, things have been going well, and I’m grateful for that. One challenge has been holding myself to a high standard — making sure I fully understand the material in school and can apply it accurately on the job. That mindset has pushed me to grow and develop more quickly.
What misconceptions do you think people have about women in electrical work?
One of the biggest misconceptions about women in electrical work is the belief that they are somehow less capable physically or technically. There is still an outdated perception that the trade is “too hard” or “too dangerous” for women. In reality, electrical work is built on skill, precision, problem-solving and training — not gender.
Where do you see yourself in five year?
In five years, I see myself earning my journeyman and master electrician licenses and continuing to grow into a leadership role. I hope to expand beyond estimating and drafting into managing projects and overseeing them from design through execution.
Because I already work on the preconstruction and design side, earning my licenses will give me a stronger understanding of field execution and allow me to better connect planning with real-world application.
What would you say to other women who may be considering a career in the trades?
If you’re considering a career in the trades, I’d say go for it. Success isn’t determined by gender — it’s built on initiative, work ethic and problem-solving skills. If you’re willing to learn and put in the effort, you can absolutely build a successful career.