Crafting Success: Women 1 of 3
Crafting Success: Women Thriving in GP Tech Trades Programs
1 of 3 in the Crafting Success Series
Carpentry & Electrical
By M. Churchwell
I tell people that if I can do it at my age, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something as a woman.
- FELECIA FARRELL,
CARPENTRY STUDENT
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we interviewed several women enrolled in Great Plains Technology Center’s trade programs where they are crafting their own narratives of success while gaining real-world skills and exploring careers that many still consider male-dominated. With determination and tenacity, these students are breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and—in many cases—honoring family values and legacies on their paths to fulfilling careers.
In this three-part series, we visit with these women who have found their calling in the skilled trades. From wielding power tools on construction sites to saving lives in emergency situations, they are working to improve not only their own lives but their communities as well.
Carpentry
Students: Felecia Farrell, Autumn Feliciano, Hannah Pewitt, Cheyenne Stevenson
What motivated you to enroll in the carpentry program?
Cheyenne: I’ve always liked working with my hands, and I hate seeing abandoned buildings. I am really interested in the idea of renovating those areas. I want to be a project manager. I am going to OSU for Civil Engineering, and I feel like this was a good introduction to that.
Felecia: I was in the medical field for 40 years, and I retired. I wanted to do something different but still be able to help people. I am a lot like Cheyenne. I see a lot of rundown homes that need renovating. I want to do that and give back to my community.
Autumn: I’m doing it because I want to be an interior designer, and I want to get another aspect of that industry.
Hannah: My mom and I have always struggled financially, and I’ve always wanted to be able to build her a house. My dad and brothers have always done carpentry. They live in Colorado, and they get to travel. When I was younger, I missed school a lot because I was sick. I would go to work with my dad, and I just loved it.
What challenges do you anticipate as a woman in the carpentry field?
Cheyenne: Sometimes there is a communication barrier. We could be ignored or talked over. I try to motivate them [the other women in class] to speak up for themselves.
Felecia: We have to realize (pointing to her female classmates) that we are a team. We have to just jump in. Cheyenne pushes us to jump in. That’s the only way we’re going to learn is to get our hands dirty. And I’m loving it.
What kind of support or mentorship have you received from your instructor Mr. Snodgrass?
Cheyenne: Mr. Snodgrass is wonderful. He is so experienced. It’s hard to not learn from him.
Autumn: Mr. Snodgrass makes sure we are always included. He doesn’t let our classmates take over or talk over us.
Felecia: He is laid back. I’ve never met anyone like him in all my life. When he talks to you, he talks TO you, not over or around you. He talks TO you. That makes a big difference to me as a female when it comes to a male. He is wonderful.
Hannah: Personally, he’s just done so much for me and my family—inside and even outside of class. He is amazing.
What are your goals moving forward?
Felecia: I want to help neighborhoods that are run down. I want to do some rental properties.
What advice would you give to other women considering enrolling in the carpentry program?
Cheyenne: You know just as much as your male classmates. The only way to learn is just to jump in.
Felecia: Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. I am living proof of that. The minute I walked in these doors, I felt nothing but love. Truly. I’ve only missed one day out of seven months. And I tell people that if I can do it at my age, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something as a woman.
Electrical
Students: Maddelynn Brown, Kiloni Mack, Katlyn Teague
What motivated you to pursue a career as an electrician?
Katlyn: I wanted a more hands-on career. I don’t want to sit behind a desk. I was in the military for four years, and I didn’t want to waste the education benefit I received by going through a degree I didn’t like. My dad is really excited for me. He says, “Yes! Go get those certifications!” My grandmother does construction. She does pipefitting (welding) and works in plants. My dad’s side of the family all work in construction and own their own businesses.
Kiloni: My stepdad is an electrician. He used to take me to work with him, and I really liked it, so I figured “Why not learn it?” I will probably work with my stepdad eventually.
Maddelynn: I like being hands-on. I don’t really like the idea of an office job.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in the electrical program?
Kiloni: Being a woman, some people can think less of you for doing a “man’s” job. Being able to do it and do it well and change those perceptions, is really rewarding.
Katlyn: I also did HVAC last year, and when I walked into the room, someone asked if I was lost. Sometimes people second-guess you because you’re a female.
Maddelynn: We actually get a lot of compliments now from the male students because we are really good at it.
Don’t be intimidated.
- KATLYN TEAGUE,
ELECTRICAL STUDENT
What kind of support or mentorship have you received from your instructors Mr. Gilland and Mr. Betancourt?
Katlyn: We get a lot of mentorship, especially as women, knowing there aren’t very many women who go into the field. Mr. Eli (Betancourt) is always proud of us and excited when we’re doing well.
Kiloni: They both have made the class so much of a learning experience. I wish I could have another year with Mr. Gilland.
Maddelynn: I like how Mr. Gilland pushes us to get better and keep going.
Can you discuss a particularly rewarding experience you've had during your time in the program?
Maddelynn: All of the projects we do are rewarding. Because we’re 2nd year students, we get to work with and help the 1st year students. We all come together, and it’s really satisfying.
Katlyn: My most rewarding project has been outside of class. Mr. Gilland takes full-time adults to some of the jobs he’s been working on to help out and get on-the-job training.
What are your goals moving forward?
Keloni: I own a daycare center right now, but when I have free time, I’d like to take this class again so I can have two years with Mr. Gilland and become an electrician.
Maddelynn: I just want to go straight into the field. I know this is what I want to do.
Katlyn: Mr. Gilland set up job interviews with a local company for some of us. We had those last week, and I think it went well. I’m ready to start working.
What advice would you give to other women considering a career as an electrician?
Katlyn: Don’t be intimidated. You’re better than the boys (laughing). Women in a lot of these jobs do have to push a little harder, work harder, and study harder because we do have to prove ourselves. Don’t be scared. When my dad mentioned me learning HVAC and electrical, I was intimidated, but there’s no reason to be scared.
