When Gilesta project manager Eglė Galdikaitė talks about her work, one thing quickly becomes clear: construction is not an accidental choice for her, nor a temporary stop. It is a field she has been part of for almost eleven years — a field where every day looks different. Not because of chaos, but because of the scale, the people involved, and the number of decisions that need to be made.
“My first experience in construction was during my studies. Starting in 2013, I spent my summers working on construction sites as an assistant to a site manager. Since 2015, I’ve been working in the construction sector without a break. If you count it — that’s almost 11 years now,” Eglė says.
A job without a ‘typical day’
When asked what her working day looks like, Eglė laughs — there simply is no typical day.
“That’s exactly what motivates me. You never know what the next day will bring. One day you’re dealing with budget issues, the next you’re coordinating schedules, communicating with the client, designers, or subcontractors. There’s a lot of responsibility, but I enjoy it,” she says.
As a project manager, she oversees the project budget, construction progress, timelines, negotiations, and communication. But the most important part of the job, she says, is the people.
“Every project and every team is different. A project manager’s job is to bring everyone involved together so that the project runs smoothly and, in the end, all parties are satisfied with the result,” Eglė explains.
From drafting classes to her parents’ house
The decision to study construction engineering was not a spontaneous one.
“I’ve always been good with numbers. At school, it was often enough to listen once and I would absorb the information quickly, so I naturally gravitated towards the exact sciences. When I was in the 9th grade, my parents started building a house. I became really interested in the drawings and how they turn into reality. In 11th grade, I chose drafting classes — and that truly fascinated me. That’s when I decided to pursue engineering,” the project manager recalls.
Construction engineering was her first choice when applying to university, and she says she was genuinely happy to be accepted — she simply couldn’t imagine herself in any other field.
Women in construction: myths and reality
Questions about women in construction are among the most common ones Eglė hears.
Her answer is straightforward.
“I’ve never experienced discrimination or felt the need to prove myself just because I’m a woman. People communicate respectfully and evaluate you based on your work. Of course, a lot depends on personal qualities.
I value clarity, so communication has never been an issue. Yes, you do need to grow a ‘thick skin’ on a construction site — I agree with that. But that applies to everyone, not just women,” she says.
For young women considering a career in construction, Eglė has a clear message:
“I’d encourage them to let go of outdated norms and pursue what they truly want. The construction industry definitely needs more women like us.”
Why Gilesta?
When asked why she chose to work at Gilesta, Eglė doesn’t start with the projects — she starts with the environment.
“What motivates me the most is the microclimate — the working environment and the people. Mutual understanding within the team, support, and humanity. You always know you’re not alone.
I also value the approach to construction itself — it is becoming more and more professional and respectful. At Gilesta, that is truly nurtured. Simply put, my values align with the company’s values — and that’s very important to me,” concludes Gilesta’s project manager.