Mara Pischl is a carpenter, influencer and runs the Instagram account @meetmybuildingsite. As a carpenter in the family business, she shares exciting insights into the digitalization of the construction industry. She also tells us in an interview how she got into her profession.
Mara, how important do you think digitalization is on construction sites?
Mara: Digitalization is extremely important to me. There are lots of tools, materials and, above all, lots of paperwork on the construction site – measurements, plans, timesheets – in other words, a paper trail. This is often confusing and quickly gets lost. Some colleagues still work with traditional timesheets, which is very cumbersome for both employees and the company. Digital solutions, such as the 123onsite app, which allows you to upload photos directly and record working hours, make our work much easier.
“If you’re at the beginning of digitization, you just have to get started!”
Mara Pischl
Do you already use digital software solutions in your company?
Mara: We have a progressive attitude here and are currently testing a lot for ourselves.
Digitalization is often a challenge, especially for older employees. For you, on the other hand, the smartphone is part of everyday life. What is your experience with it?
Mara: A lot of people actually have smartphones these days and use apps like WhatsApp. The 123onsite app, for example, is very user-friendly – with photos, construction site selection and more. If you show it once and use it together, most people will quickly understand it. There is also help and explanations directly in the app. It’s almost a matter of course in everyday life.
Mara on Instagram
Mara talks about her everyday life as a carpenter on her account @meetmybuildingsite.
What do you wish for the future of digitalization in the skilled trades?
Mara: For example, I find drones that could deliver data directly to the app exciting, or measuring devices for moisture and mold measurements that transmit their readings automatically. I also think a customer management system would be great for maintaining customer relationships digitally and personally – with birthday reminders or special offers, for example. That would strengthen the bond.
What advice would you give to craft businesses that are still in the early stages of digitalization?
Mara: Just get started and be open! Many software solutions are easy to use and help to save time and nerves. In my opinion, the digital Time tracking or Photo documentation in particular are standard and hard to imagine life without them.
How did you actually decide to become a carpenter – and how did your social media involvement come about?
Mara: At the very beginning, I actually wanted to study medicine, but then my father sent me on an internship in his carpentry workshop. I immediately fell in love with the craft. It’s just fun to create something with your own hands and make customers happy in the process. Social media came later. Initially, I just wanted to show my work without being too personal – now I also share my personality to represent the craft honestly and authentically. This is how I want to explain how diverse and realistic our profession is.
„Ich wollte mal Ärztin werden. Doch heute kann ich als Schreinerin auch täglich kleine OPs durchführen, nur eben nicht am Menschen.“ – Mara Pischl
123onsite: Finally, one last question: as a woman, you work in a traditionally male-dominated field. How do you experience the issue of women on the construction site?
Mara: I’ve sometimes been looked at a bit skeptically – especially by other companies or customers who prefer to see male employees. But I just do my job, talk a lot and explain what I do. That often impresses people. Many people are then quite surprised and in the end thrilled that as a woman you can really do something with your hands. Sometimes it takes a while, especially with older people who aren’t used to it. But I’ve already won a lot of hearts with my style. In the end, it’s performance that counts, not gender.
Pictures: (c) Mara Pischl
