Lejla Torlakovic is an Assistant Project Manager at KBE-NY with 9 years of construction industry experience, including 2 years with KBE. Lejla graduated with a B.S. in Materials Engineering from University of Zenica and a M.S. in Construction Project Management. Her confidence and determination have helped her to do anything she put her mind to, starting as a Project Engineer to working her way up to Assistant Project Manager.
Characteristics:
Lejla Torlakovic, an Assistant Project Manager at KBE-NY believes every woman in construction should have confidence. “A male dominated industry can be intimidating, women need to know how to hold their ground, don’t be scared to voice your opinion.”
Lessons Learned:
“Learn from your mistakes, don’t be scared to make mistakes (of course, try not to do them), but if they do happen, it’s a way that we learn,” says Lejla Torlakovic, an Assistant Project Manager at KBE-NY. “It’s important not to be scared to ask questions, there’s no stupid questions; we’re all learning.”
Why do you enjoy what you do?
“I really love construction; something is being built right in front of your eyes,” says Lejla Torlakovic, an Assistant Project Manager at KBE-NY. “You come to the jobsite and see a pile of dirt and in a year, you see a beautiful building, it’s amazing.”
Mentor:
While in the industry, Lejla Torlakovic, an Assistant Project Manager at KBE-NY has had some very insightful mentors. “When I first started as a Project Engineer, a woman who was PM taught me how to work among the men, the company, subcontractors, the owners. She was very confident and taught me a lot. Over the past two years here at KBE-NY, Michael Jr. has been a mentor to me; I’ve learned so much from him. He really makes an effort to review with you, takes the time to read my notes and gives me feedback, and actually follow through.”
Advice:
“Don’t be intimidated and scared of how big the project is and the amount of work that goes into it because it is very rewarding,” says Lejla Torlakovic, an Assistant Project Manager at KBE-NY. “As long as you do your thing and feel confident, you love what you do – you’re going to succeed.”