Jessica Scherz

Steamfitter

A former welder, Jessica Scherz found the job became “effortless,” and she needed a challenge.

“I started researching jobs that utilize welding, and one day I finally came across steamfitting,” said Scherz, 30, who works for Total Mechanical. 

She had to start out as a pre-apprentice, basically a trial for the employee and employer alike, but said it was worth it. 

“Turns out it was a great fit. I am now almost four years in,” she said. 

Being a steamfitter offers the variety she craves, as no two days are alike. Steamfitters start with a blueprint or drawing and are responsible for all aspects of the installation of piping systems designed for the flow of liquids or gases at high pressure. 

“Steamfitting is a very broad field,” said Scherz of Menomonee Falls, who went through her apprenticeship at MATC. “There is field work where you go to the job site to lay out, fabricate, install, test and start up many types of systems. Steam, water, air, gas are examples of things that run through our piping. There is also shop work where you handle all of the prefabrication sent in from the field and inventory. “

It’s a field that calls on many skills. 

“Steamfitting truly requires you to be a mechanical person. You must be able to create something out of nothing,” said Scherz. 

Booming business

You have to be adept at welding and soldering, for instance, and capable of operating heavy machinery like boom lifts and crane picks.

“I love the fact that everything is different every day. You are building an entire system from the ground up. It is all homemade … I love all of the hands-on work and the craftiness it involves. I will keep learning in this trade until the day I retire.”

The path she’s chosen also offers room for advancement. 

“The discussion of being a shop foreman has been mentioned, and the future in this trade for me seems to be full of reward.”

Steamfitter

• Best advice for someone interested in this line of work? “Focus on the work and stay out of the politics; pay attention in school; involve yourself in the work going on in the field/shop; ask a lot of questions; be safe, never do anything you are even a little bit uncomfortable with because this job is dangerous.”
• Best advice you ever got: “You are going to be a great steamfitter one day, you just have to work on your confidence.” 
• What skill helps someone in your line of work be successful? “Attention to detail, organizational skills, good communication, precision, welding.”

Alex Roloff

Plumber apprentice

Alex Roloff was in his first year at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and he wasn’t feeling it.

He was exploring the idea of being a physical therapist, but realized it would take years and lots of debt. He knew he’d have to maintain a high grade point average and still risk not being accepted into a program. 

“And then it kind of started to settle in,” Roloff said. “I don’t really think four-year school is for me.”

That decision lead him on a path that included classes at Milwaukee Area Technical College and a grocery store job with the potential to become a manager. But when a friend told him about an entry-level job opening at a plumbing business, he was curious. After all, plumbing seemed like a stable job. 

“You’re always going to need plumbing no matter what the economy is, good, bad, in the middle,” he said. 

Roloff took a pre-apprentice job at Milestone Plumbing in Wauwatosa.

It was a big leap, and he had some doubts in the early days. But the doubts faded away, and today Roloff, 26, has completed his four-year plumber’s apprenticeship. After another year on the job, he’ll take his journeyman’s exam. All along, he has been paid to work while also learning the trade in classes at Waukesha Area Technical College and through hands-on experience. He paid off his college loans, too.

“I kind of discovered about myself that I’ve always liked working with my hands and I’m a better problem solver than I thought I was going through high school,” Roloff said. “So, plumbing’s just been a perfect fit for me because that’s what I do all day long.”

He wishes someone had suggested opportunities in the trades when he was younger. 

“You can get your career started so much sooner if you explore those options,” he said.  

He has developed immense respect for his occupation. 

“I’ve learned that not just plumbing but all the trades are crucial to society as a whole,” he said.

Plumber apprentice

• Best advice for someone interested in this line of work? “Find a few companies to shadow at or ride along with. You can see what a typical day looks like in the trades and will get an idea if you’re truly interested.”
• Best advice you ever got: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more questions you ask the more things you will learn.”
• What trait helps someone in your line of work? “Patience. Sometimes your plan won’t work out, and you have to be ready with backup plans.”

Jenny Conrardy

Electrical apprentice 

Jenny Conrardy’s son was 7 years old when she realized she needed a better income and more job stability. The advice she got was return to school to improve her job prospects.

Conrardy already had a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied studio art and minored in religious studies. 

“And I thought to myself, get a master’s degree? In what, art or religion? It just doesn’t make sense in terms of my life right now and the economy and the opportunities,” she said.

That’s when she realized that technical college would make the most sense because, unlike her university experience, the possibility of landing a good-paying job with her degree would be high. So, she did some research. 

“When I came across solar electricity, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Conrardy, who lives in Plymouth, found a job that would help her qualify for the electrician program at Moraine Park Technical College. She was soon sponsored in an apprenticeship. That meant she could get on-the-job training in solar energy while also studying to be an electrician. 

“Having my schooling, tuition and books funded and being paid my hourly wage while attending school was a huge factor in the decision, particularly as a single mom,” she said. 

Today, Conrardy is about two and a half years into a five-year electrical apprenticeship program. Her job with Current Electric in Wauwatosa takes her around the region to work on solar projects that are large and small, commercial and residential, on rooftops and on the ground. She’s excited to be in a rapidly growing field that offers something new to learn all the time. 

And while she was surprised to learn how few women are in the field, she has embraced the opportunity to be a role model. 

“I take it as an opportunity to help other women realize that they can do this, even as a 38-year-old-woman, even as a single mom,” she said. “There should be nothing stopping us.”

Electrical apprentice

• This job is great for someone who… “Likes to be ‘book smart’ and work with their hands.”
• Best advice you ever got: “Just keep going. You’ll get better as time goes on. Learning this job is a process that doesn’t happen overnight.”
• A great lesson you’ve learned on the job: “You’re always part of a team. Your safety, your well-being and the success of the project all depends on how you work together.”
• What skill helps someone in your line of work be successful? “Precision. You need to make sure that you are very detail-oriented and organized.”
• Advice for someone interested in this kind of work?
  “Check out NABCEP.org, it’s a great entry-level education on how solar works. If you take a couple classes, it shows you can take initiative.”

Andre Ghelfi Thomas

Construction Project Manager

Andre Ghelfi Thomas learned early on what career path to choose, and he learned it from playing with Legos.

“Growing up, I loved playing with Legos,” said Thomas, 29. “When I got a new set, I started out following the blueprint instructions. When the structure was complete, I took it apart and built something new from my imagination.”

His creative side was encouraged at Marquette University, where he earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering and Igniting Insights Certificate.

“When I started college at Marquette University, I knew I wanted a career path that allowed me to step out from behind the desk and provide hands-on experiences,” he said. “My mentor suggested I consider construction management. After my first course at Marquette, I realized this was the path I wanted to follow.”

Working for a living

Thomas hasn’t looked back. Now a project manager for the Boldt Company, he oversees all aspects of a project, from concept to completion. He is responsible for assembling a team of employees and contractors, procuring materials, subcontracts and equipment, ensuring the highest level of construction and safety standards are met, and delivering it all on time and on budget.

“As a project manager, I consistently utilize problem-solving and relationship-building skills,” said Thomas. “I proactively uncover solutions to complex problems that may occur during project development and inform the client of the status every step of the way.”

It’s about relationships

“In the construction industry, maintaining strong and collaborative relationships with clients, coworkers and contractors is paramount to achieving the desired results,” said Thomas.

He likes the interaction with other stakeholders that are needed to complete a project. Much like a Lego project, “each individual on the team helps piece the project together.”

He also likes the opportunity to contribute to the fabric of the community.

“I was born and raised in Milwaukee, so I want to do my part in reimagining the city I love,” he said. “By continuing to lead projects and innovation in Milwaukee, I can serve my family, friends and the community I call home!” 

Construction Project Manager

• This job is great for someone who likes to: “Serve the community. I want to reiterate the importance of servant leadership in which
  construction management allows each individual to partake.”
• Best tip for acing a job interview: “Be authentic. When you apply for a job, you demonstrate curiosity for that profession. Be yourself and speak to your experiences and values. Any job you apply for should align with your personal values. Being your true self in an interview gives a potential employer an understanding of the real you.”
• Biggest ‘aha moment’: “Developing a way to concurrently juggle responsibilities across several projects. Facilitating discussions, allocating responsibilities and prioritizing tasks allowed me to become a more effective, results-driven leader. The successful projects I managed enabled me to gain the client’s trust that a project met or exceeded expectations.”
• Share a lesson learned: “You will never know everything there is to know about construction. There are constantly new areas to learn and problems to solve. I know I cannot answer all of the questions on my own. It is okay not to know everything and to ask for guidance.”

Elyssa Anderson

Application Engineer Pieper Automation

Having a mind for math and science, Elyssa Anderson initially wanted to pursue engineering. But like many prospective students, she found the cost of a college degree unappealing.

“Originally, I was going to a four-year school for engineering,” she said. 

But when Anderson saw the price tag, she turned her attention to the field of automation, which uses many of the same skills and, with its constant technological advances, offered a promising future.

“There’s lots of growth potential and new development,” she said. “I wanted to get experience in automation.”

Anderson found that experience at Waukesha County Technical College, where she earned an associate degree in mechatronics, robotics and automation. Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering in the design of products and manufacturing processes.

While attending WCTC, Anderson had an internship with Pieper Automation (a division of Pieper Electric, Inc.) and was hired upon graduation last May. Her job, she said, is varied but it essentially involves using computer programming and robotics to streamline systems, increase efficiencies and reduce costs.

“Our role is to integrate an automated system to increase safety or reduce manpower,” Anderson said.

In the two years she’s worked for Pieper Automation, Anderson has worked on improving automation at food service firms and city drawbridges, giving her the chance to work with a variety of software and hardware.

It involves a lot of trouble-shooting and is not unlike working a jigsaw puzzle. One project on a food service line involved replacing nine motors with two and creating a streamlined conveyor that ran in a straight line rather than a serpentine one.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that everyone is just figuring things out as they go,” said Anderson. “When I first started my job, I felt like everyone knew exactly what they were doing all of the time. I felt overwhelmed with how much I didn’t know. Over time I realized even the most experienced engineers were utilizing the resources around them to support them in certain projects.”

The ongoing learning is important to Anderson, whose ambitions are to move into management someday.

“I would like to see myself move into a more management-heavy role. I enjoy the technical work, but I also really enjoy collaborating and working with people.”

Application Engineer

• Best advice you ever got:  “To prioritize work-life balance.”
• Best tip for acing a job interview: “Be honest. The interviewers have an idea who they are looking for and who may be the best fit. It’s in everyone’s best interest for you to be honest.”
• Most interesting project: “We did a project creating a water fill station on a pizza dough line. They used to manually measure water into the dough. After the project, they could select a weight and it would manually fill into the mix.”

Mike Erwin

Senior operating partner at Taureau Group LLC Founder of Erwin Advisory Group 

At a time when many are looking to retire, 70-year-old Mike Erwin is looking for new challenges.

It’s really been the story of his life.

Erwin, of the town of Vernon, started his manufacturing career at what was then Harnischfeger Industries Inc. 

“I’m the only one who came from the shop floor to the president of the company,” he said.

Since then, he’s been president and/or CEO of three other companies and now is senior operating partner of Milwaukee-based investment bank Taureau Group, where he serves primarily as a consultant to manufacturers. He also founded his own consulting firm, Erwin Advisory Group.

A Milwaukee School of Engineering grad – he earned both a bachelor’s in management systems and an honorary doctorate. His love for the manufacturing field is infectious.

“I love every aspect of it,” he said. “I like the diversity of the workforce, the type of technology used. And making things is always powerful. It’s not just a job.” 

It’s team building at its best, said Erwin, the
former CEO of Menomonee Falls-based Tailored Label
Products Inc.

“I try and motivate manufacturing folks to invent something. There’s nothing like the joy of a shared patent, something a team has in common in perpetuity.”

With his credentials, Erwin has some sound advice for those starting their careers in manufacturing and the trades. Here are just a few of his suggestions:

Be conscientious. “You sweat the important details.”

Maintain a high degree of integrity. “Truth, no matter how hard it is. If you make an error, someone could be injured or killed.”

• Be willing to take challenging assignments. 
• Keep learning.
• Help everyone, and volunteer in the nonprofit world.
• Share credit.
• Show others they are appreciated. “I’ve heard you. I’ve seen you. I respect you.”
• Develop critical thinking skills.
• Show unbridled enthusiasm.

Mike Erwin At a Glance

Traveled the world: Erwin said his career has taken him to all parts of the world, and he encourages those entering the field to take advantage of travel opportunities
when they arise. 

“You develop an empathy for other cultures. I have friends in different countries,” he said.

Degrees, awards, patents: Erwin has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young twice and received BizTimes Media’s Bravo! Entrepreneur Award, also twice. He also serves on numerous community boards and has been awarded several
patents.

Last book read: Former Attorney General William Barr’s “One Damn Thing After Another.”

My favorite building and why: “The brand-new Komatsu mining operations in the Harbor District, for having doubled down on manufacturing excellence in the Milwaukee area and the continuation of an over 130-year history that the Harnischfeger family began.”

When he’s not working: Erwin relaxes at his second home in Eagle River. He enjoys fishing and is a self-proclaimed “car nut” and owner of a Shelby Mustang and new Bronco. “I’ve had as many road cars as (years) I’ve been on this earth.”

Tim Sansone

Apprentice welder

Tim Sansone remembers his first day as a youth-apprentice welder. Still in high school, he was being paid to train for his dream job, but it wasn’t going too well. 

“I came into it with very little experience,” Sansone said. “My welds were terrible, they looked like boogers on a piece of metal.”

But he kept at it and, sure enough, got better. Today Sansone’s favorite feeling is starting a shift and nailing a perfect weld right away. “That makes you feel awesome,” he said.

Sansone, 18, recently graduated twice, both from Kettle Moraine High School and GPS Education Partners. He’s among hundreds of high school students who sign up each year for GPS’s work-based learning program, which places them in trade jobs while they work on their diplomas. GPS’s “bridge” program enabled Sansone to work his way from a paid youth apprentice to a full-time paid apprenticeship at Weldall Manufacturing in Waukesha.

“I have nothing but good things to say about GPS,” Sansone said. “It’s one of the best things that happened to me.”

Sansone has wanted to work at Weldall since he was a kid watching his dad weld car parts together. “I picked one of those welders up and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Kind of like sewing, but with lightning,” he recalls.  

He said welding is more involved than most people think, requiring knowledge of different metals and materials, the ability to read blueprints, and more. It can get pretty physical, too. 

“You’ve got to be able to weld in uncomfortable positions. On a typical day, I could be sitting at a table welding parts or I could be putting on the safety harness and going 20 feet up for welding big wire. It keeps it interesting.”

His advice for anyone considering the trades? “Just go for it. You don’t need all that extra schooling,  and if you play your cards right, you might be making six figures with no college debt.”

Apprentice welder

Best advice for someone interested in this line of work? “Be humble and be receptive to information or else you’re gonna fall flat on your face.”

Best advice you ever got: “My trainer at Weldall told me, ‘You always want to make your next weld better than your last.’ And that stuck with me.”

Best tip for acing a job interview: “Just be yourself and try to start a conversation. When you get a conversation in an interview then you’re in good shape.”