C.A. Murren's Brooke West: 'Doing Everything the Guys Can Do ... Sometimes Better' Brooke West is a gregarious 18-year-old. Her mother laughs and says they often refer to her as "babbling Brooke," because like water, she flows. And her friendly nature is apparent when she greets you with a smile.

On her first day at Walton Career Academy, Brooke walked into the classroom and was met with incredulous looks and the concerned question of whether or not she was in the right room. She replied with a "yes," and so began her schooling in construction.

PJ Campanella, her instructor at Walton, says that Brooke is a "star student." Since being in his class, she has been elected team member of the quarter, and the president of her school's career tech student organization. Campanella commends Brooke on her "awesome work ethic," and sees her strength in project management.

Campanella says that Brooke's being a female has not hindered her in anyway. She has "done everything the guys can do ... sometimes better," particularly when it comes to detail. As an individual, "she's second to none."

Brooke's instructor isn't the only one singing her praises. Brian May, Brooke's supervisor at C.A. Murren, is positive about his new young employee. He says that she's done a good job with the company and that she's "picked-up quickly [with her] field of knowledge." When there is work that needs to be done, she is there, showing her "dedication and drive."

As a result of her strong work ethic, whenever Brooke has time off from school, such as this past spring break; she just calls C.A. Murren, and they're always happy to have her.

This fall, Brooke will begin her studies at Georgia Southern University. She plans on majoring in Construction Engineering/Management. And though she's gotten a head-start with her courses at Walton Academy, and her work in the Estimating Department at C.A. Murren, her interest began before then.

When Brooke was 15, she began taking part in mission trips with her church. She traveled to Mississippi, Northern Georgia, Russia and Belize. Brooke loved that she could make a difference, and help those in need. The only problem was the work involved "a bunch of stuff [she] didn't know how to do." That's when she decided to take matters into her own hands, and enroll at Walton Academy.

Brooke started out as the only female in Campanella's class. Now thanks to her, she's helped that number increase by four. Campanella often takes Brooke with him when he goes to promote the school. And Brooke's enthusiasm isn't limited to one gender; she shares her excitement with everyone.

"If you like building stuff, working with your hands, solving logical problems then you should try this industry." Brooke says you have to be aware that "it's about teamwork," and that a "team effort is needed along the way." She says that it's worth "giving everything a try once." And in terms of the misconception that the construction industry isn't profitable or that it's boring, Brooke is adamant that this isn't true. In fact, she says "you couldn't ask for a better job!"

For those women that may be apprehensive, Brooke thinks it's important to know that the number of females is growing. And "to all the women who are afraid or scared, don't be!" She encourages giving it a try and that "men will learn to respect you ... Girls can do anything that guys can do."

It helps to have the support of her instructor and employer, but where it often counts most is at home, and Brooke has a "ISO-percent support" from her parents. Her mother, Susan West, thinks "it's great she's in the field." She "hopes that [Brooke] can continue doing as well in college as in High School." Brooke "is a good student, good kid, very comfortable in her own skin and knows what she wants to do."

That's why it won't be a surprise when Brooke accomplishes her ultimate dream. Once she graduates from college and gets into the industry, she wants to branch off internationally. She'd like to take C.A. Murren across seas and head the office there. This way she can combine her two passions, her foreign mission work with that of her construction work.

Before then, you may find Brooke back-packing through Europe. So if you see her, be sure to stop and say hello.