Workforce Spotlight: Alyssa Cuba

Alyssa Cuba, an ironworker with Lakeside Alliance, was the first in her family to pursue a career in the trades. Just months away from becoming a journeyman, we caught up with her at the “Who Builds the World? Girls!” event.

Check out our interview with Alyssa where she describes how rebar is the “skeleton” of buildings, the advice she’d give to young women and girls considering a career in construction and what excites her most about the project:

Q: As an ironworker, can you tell us how your trade supports the concrete work on the project?

Cuba: I place rebar, which basically acts as the “skeleton” for the concrete to hold it all together. Without the rebar, your structure — whether it’s a building, bridge or sidewalk — could crack and fail.

Q: What advice would you give to young women and girls considering a career in construction?

Cuba: Just keep at it. Keep moving forward. Once you get into the industry, you network and meet all types of people who believe in you and what you want to do. Remember to never let anybody tell you what you can and cannot do — just do whatever you love.

What excites you most about the project?

Cuba: Being from the South Side of Chicago, I think it’s great that the Center will bring new opportunities and resources to the community. This project is going to be in the history books forever and I get to look back at this experience and say, “I helped build that.” Out of anything I build in my career, this is what will be here forever as a historic landmark!