13 Reasons Camden is One of the Best Workplaces for Women: Kim Feliciano Ramirez Edition

Continuing with the Simply Camden blog series celebrating being named #13 on Fortunes List for Best Workplaces for Women, in this feature, we get to know Kim Feliciano Ramirez! We also recognize her in celebration of Camden Maintenance Appreciation week as she shares why she thinks Camden is a great place to work.

 

 

“Anything is possible at Camden, it just takes determination, focus, goals and vision”

 

I was taught & introduced to this field by a male who saw a quick learner, potential and a motivated person. Before I came to Camden, I worked as a technician for another company and was there for 5 years. Although I worked diligently and was very focused, I still felt unappreciated. When I was informed about a job opportunity at Camden, I went to the website to apply and ended up getting the job! I started my journey on January 3, 2013! Shortly after starting, I was assigned to take classes through Camden U.  I was required to take classes that would further my knowledge as a maintenance technician and a Camden employee which I value tremendously.

 

Being a woman in a maintenance technician role required me to prove to others that I could not only do the job, but do the job well.  I have earned the respect, trust and guidance of my team members and have also had the opportunity to teach others. I have competed in 'Maintenance Mania’ competitions (Maintenance Mania is a national competition in which maintenance techs compete against each other in various skill-based games. The challenges are common maintenance activities that are timed. Participants build race cars prior to the event, aiming to have the fastest most creative car built out of maintenance supplies. My car is pictured below!) I have competed for 6 years straight and many times was just as, or more successful than my male counterparts. Makes me proud. I have learned that anything is possible at Camden; it just takes determination, focus, goals and vision.

 

 

“I appreciate the work like balance Camden offers”

 

Camden is a great place to work for women because as a working mom, wife, taking care of a home, and being “on call” after hours one week a month, I appreciate and value the work life balance Camden offers.  All activities, charity work, training or educational opportunities given don’t interfere with my personal life. Most is done during working or business hours which give me opportunity to take my kids to school in the mornings and pick them up on time at the after school care. 

 

 

 ‘It’s not just work, it’s having fun while doing your job!’

 

I have learned that it's not all salary, vacation time and perks. It's about equal opportunities, culture, education & training made available to employees. Having a job that I love to do and working for a company that values your work goes a long way. They teach you values but more importantly they practice them every day. Camden has a great family environment and no matter if you work in the leasing office or as maintenance, Camden employees give back what the company gives us. Happy employees means happy residents. I take pride in my job and because I love what I do, our customers always receive the BEST work I have to offer. One of the residents I recently helped said this about me:

 

“I want to take a few moments to personally thank Kim (my maintenance queen) for going above and beyond when I had the new fixtures put into my apartment. She noticed that the toilet had been running and went out of her way to take care of the issue…as I had not even reported the problem yet…Kim, you are a special lady, always smiling, waving, and friendly to me!...My hero, during some difficult times in my life at the time…Thanks again for going out of your way and for leaving a clean work are behind too!”

 

I have worked for Camden for 4 years now and it has been a great decision and opportunity because it's not just work, it's having fun and growing while doing your job!