5 LI women in male-dominated fields on what it takes

Women have made great strides in the workforce over recent decades, but some jobs are still filled mostly by men. Newsday talked to five Long Island women who have taken (or are training to take) roads less traveled, and we asked them about their journeys and the advice they would pass on to the girls and women who will follow in their footsteps.

Women make up nearly half of the American workforce, up from just 28.6% in 1948, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but are still underrepresented in many areas of the economy with high-quality jobs. Just 21% of surgeons, 16% of civil engineers and 2% of carpenters are women, according to the bureau. 

Among the traits that trailblazers need, they said, are passion, energy, resilience and, maybe, a thick skin. A female mentor might help, too.

Lena Evans

Commercial airline pilot

Women in the field:  About 5% of commercial airline pilots worldwide are women, according to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots.

Who she is: Evans, 65, of Setauket, was a commercial airline pilot for United Airlines for almost 34 years, flying Boeing's 737, 757, 767 and 777s. Born in Sweden, Evans navigated  both national and international flights during her career. She retired in January.

Starting out: Although Evans had been fascinated with aviation since she was a child, she wasn’t sure exactly what that meant for her. “I knew enough French after college to land a part-time customer service job with Air France at Kennedy Airport,” she said. Evans then worked at Scandinavian Airlines in various airport jobs. It wasn’t long before she and two male co-workers set their sights on what she called “the best job at the airline” — being a commercial pilot. The three of them started their flying journey together, taking lessons and logging the hours needed to reach their goal. In 1985, the trio received their private pilot's licenses and continued on to secure more advanced licenses.

What she loves about it: “It’s a very mentally and physically stimulating job,” Evans said. “Flying the plane is both fun and challenging. I also really appreciate experiencing new places and cultures.”

You have to work together to reach your destination, literally.

- Lena Evans, commercial airline pilot

She also deeply values the concept of coordination, leadership and problem-solving among her crew, adding, “You have to work together to reach your destination, literally,” Evans said.

The most challenging part:  Work-life balance can be tough for a woman in the field, Evans said. Her husband, Roger, would watch the children while she was away. “Being gone for a couple of days at a time is hard, especially when the kids were younger," she said. "Then, when I returned home, it would be a whirlwind.” 

Advice for other women: Evans suggested taking an introductory flight lesson to “try it on.” “It’s a big commitment, and you have to make sure flying is for you before you pursue it full on,” she said.

You might look into the  international organizations that promote women in aviation through education, networking, mentorship and scholarship, including The Ninety-Nines and Women in Aviation International.

“If it’s something you’re interested in, then go for it," she said. "Believe in yourself.”

Melissa Naeder

Senior director at commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefeld's Melville office

Women in the field: Women hold just 9% of C-suite positions in commercial real estate, according to a 2020 study from the CREW Network Foundation, a global organization dedicated to advancing women in the field.

Who she is: Naeder, 51, of Melville, is in the corporate real estate sector specializing in the retail market. She is also the founder and co-chair of the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island's women’s division, a group that supports women in the industry.

Starting out: Earlier in her career, Naeder’s job was to go door-to-door in office buildings looking for companies interested in buying, selling or leasing space.

“It was brutal in the beginning,” she said. “I was a junior broker, and I had to start at the bottom. My job was to canvass for leads.”

She was considering quitting when another broker suggested she move to the retail sector. She made the switch and decided to stick with it. That was 20 years ago.

What she loves about it: Naeder said she loves making deals, but also values the sense of community that surrounds her. “I met some really great people through networking, and I’ve also made some lasting friendships,” she said.

The most challenging part: Naeder said she believes there is some gender bias in her field and breaking into leadership roles can be difficult for a woman.

Advice for other women: "Become an expert in your sector,” Naeder said. “Seek out a mentor, build a strong network and support system of women and master your negotiation skills.”

Taylor Terhaar

Welder

Women in the field: About 5.3% of welders are women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Who she is: Terhaar, 32, of West Babylon, has been a welding instructor at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Islip Career Center in Oakdale for more than 10 years. She said she was captivated by watching sparks fly, and her fiery career has included fabricating ductwork for a sheet metal company, architectural welding and airline refueling equipment, as well as welding parts for Black Hawk helicopters and military and aerospace equipment.

Starting out:  Working with metal was familiar to her because  her great-grandfather was an ironworker, and her father a mechanic, machinist and fabricator. During a tour at a BOCES facility in high school, she took one look at the welding classroom and was smitten, she said.

Now I am passionate about teaching and giving back. I wake up every day looking forward to work.

- Taylor Terhaar, welder

What she loves about it: “Welding changed my life,” she said. “It’s a unique skill that allows you to work with your hands, it touches on multiple industries, and it even has a creative aspect as fine art. Now I am passionate about teaching and giving back. I wake up every day looking forward to work.”

The most challenging part: Terhaar noted that many girls are not exposed to tools and hands-on building skills when they are young and may have to work harder to learn the trade. “Boys have an edge because most of them come in with background knowledge to start,” she said.

Advice for other women: Terhaar said BOCES is a great place to begin for both high school students and adults. She also stressed the importance of  resilience, the ability to overcome challenges and to learn from setbacks and see them as  "opportunities for growth." 

Calis Townsend

Autobody repair and car customizing student

Women in the field:  Fewer than 5% of autobody workers are women, according to the Labor Bureau.

Who she is: A Riverhead High School student who speaks four languages, Townsend, 16, is in the autobody program at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Harry B. Ward Technical Center in Riverhead. There, under the guidance of teacher Ryan Degnan, teens work on real cars for real customers.

Starting out: “My mom and my aunt went to BOCES, so I wanted to try something there," Townsend said. "I love doing things with my hands, so I took up autobody.”

What she loves about it: Townsend enjoys the thrill of taking a car apart and putting it back together. “I like seeing how it all fits together,” she said.

The most challenging part: “Boys tell me I’m a girl, I shouldn’t be fixing cars, I should be playing with makeup,” she said. “I just laugh. Then I show them up.”

If someone tells you that you can’t, prove them wrong.

- Calis Townsend, autobody repair and car customizing student

Advice for other women: “If you really want to do it, then do it,” she said. “If someone tells you that you can’t, prove them wrong.”

Degnan, her instructor, has had only eight female students over the 12 years he’s been teaching at BOCES, including Townsend and another this year. He’s hopeful more girls will get into the autobody field, and said they can have an advantage in one respect. “Lots of males are colorblind,” said Degman. “Females in the paint shop are much better at matching colors.”

Regina Migdalski

Commercial fisherman 

Women in the field: Estimates on female fishing crew members vary, but women make up 19% of the entire seafood workforce, according to a 2022 report from the National Marine Fisheries Service. 

Who she is: Regina Migdalski, 57, of Wading River, works alongside her husband, Rob, on their fishing boat, the Regina Ann, named after her, as well as a slightly smaller “dragger” boat out of Mattituck. Mornings start as early as 2 a.m. as she spends her days catching fluke, sea bass, blackfish, striped bass, scup and conchs, depending on the season. Before her life on the water, Migdalski also drove a tractor trailer for five years not long after high school graduation.

Starting out:  Migdalski met her lobsterman husband more than 34 years ago and decided it would be “fun” to hop on the boat just to “check it out.” She’s been working with him as a deckhand ever since.

It’s not a man’s job or a woman’s job. It’s a job.

- Regina Migdalski, commercial fisherman

What she loves about it: The list seems to be endless for Migdalski, whose joy is evident by her vibrant smile and animated storytelling. Besides the camaraderie, teamwork and sense of accomplishment after a long day on the boat, Migdalski treasures her time immersed in nature, watching a different sunrise each morning and bearing witness to all kinds of wildlife during the course of her day. “Truthfully, I feel closest to God when I’m out on the water,” she said.

The most challenging part: Migdalski’s job includes loading the boat with traps weighing between 65 and 75 pounds. “You have to be physically strong,” she said. “You need mental fortitude as well. Our day doesn’t end at port. We still have to clean the boat and organize it for the next run. Then I go home after a 14-hour day on the water completely exhausted and have to manage my house.”

Advice for other women: “It’s not a man’s job or a woman’s job. It’s a job,” she said. “There’s a shortage of deckhands right now, and that’s a great place to start. You’ll have to work really hard and prove yourself along the way.”