I found this amusing, but also it showed me that he was open to the concept of women in the construction field. I have found then and now that I have to constantly prove myself, just as most people do, to be accepted as an equal. Not only should this be expected, but it can be used to one's advantage. In having to prove yourself, your natural competitiveness will drive you to learn more so that you can shine among your peers. No matter if you are male or female, all a contractor wants when you inspect the job is fairness and consistency.
Education plays a big part in being able to do a good job as a building department representative.
I would advise anyone to attend as many classes as you can in every aspect of building construction. ICBO has been in the education business for many years and teaches classes designed to keep building personnel current in the codes. It should be a goal to attain certifications in many areas, certifying a wide area of knowledge from which to draw. With the code cycle of three years, the codes are constantly being updated. Building department employees must stay current on changes to the codes, so they can be effective when working with the customer.