Women at Work: Milwaukee Professionals Share Their Experiences on the Job

When she started welding nearly 20 years ago, Karen Feliciano made sure she was seen.

“I worked harder than anyone else in the room. It was all about proving myself and showing that I belonged,” said Feliciano, who is the instructional chair of the Welding program at Milwaukee Area Technical College. “I wouldn’t say no to anyone or anything. But today, people can see my work and know my worth.”

On Tuesday, March 31, Feliciano and other female professionals shared their experiences in the working world. The event, held at MATC’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus, capped off the college’s celebration of Women’s History Month and was hosted by Labor Ladies, a student group that supports, motivates and advocates for women pursuing careers in trades.

Feliciano was one of three MATC employees on the panel, which included Janay Alston-Burnett, dean of student retention and success, and Ebony Hagler, coordinator of college events.

The rest of the panel included Chastity Sylvester, a Milwaukee entrepreneur; Radaya Ellis, who works with the community group 4waukee; Semma McCrary, owner of Semma’s Sunflower Organics; Jasmine Kimbrough, a Milwaukee doula; Willette Honey, a building engineer at Northwestern Mutual; and Nance E. Rodriguez, an MATC graduate who hosts a podcast called Choosing Me MKE.

The women described their career experiences, the barriers they have overcome in their jobs, how they balance their professional and personal lives, and how they can support each other.

Rodriguez, who also works as a security guard, said women shouldn’t try to act as someone different on the job. 

“You need to be authentic, to be real,” Rodriguez told the audience. “Don’t water yourself down. Hold people accountable for their actions and be accountable yourself. You’ll be heard when you’re respected.”

MATC’s CareerHub also helps support female students in non-traditional occupations, said Courtney Kelley, career services coordinator. “We work with employers to expand career opportunities,” Kelly said. “We also connect students with MATC graduates working in the field to show them what is possible.”

Honey, who earned an associate degree in MATC’s Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Service Technician program, was the only female in her class when she graduated. Now she’s the only female building engineer at Northwestern Mutual.

“Sometimes I feel I might know more than the guys do,” she said. “I’m okay with that. I do my work and make sure I get my job done. You have to remember it’s eight hours of your life.”

But others said they find themselves working more than eight hours, which can lead to stress and frustration. Alston-Burnett struggled to contain her emotions while describing how she can become consumed by work: She often finds herself answering messages on her computer at 3 a.m. and worries about how such behavior could affect her mental health and personal life. 

“I’m up too late and work too long,” she said. “We can never shut off.”

Women need to set boundaries and manage time, said Hagler, who started at MATC as a switchboard operator in 2011. “Your work is only part of who you are.” 

Sylvester recently renewed and refreshed herself by heading into the Arizona desert for a retreat with several other women. “We’re so used to being inside and in the dark,” she said. “Being in the sun was glorious.”

Events like Tuesday’s panel discussion help create a much-needed sense of community and sisterhood among women, Hagler said. 

“This is a place where we can find those connections,” she said.