A Day in the Life of a Remote Program Manager in Milwaukee
Milwaukee—it’s known as the Good Land, and for a good reason. Working remotely as a program manager in the tech industry means I can work just about anywhere in the U.S., and I choose to call it my home. The city of Milwaukee offers me the lifestyle of a big city living with unmatched accessibility and affordability. Here’s a look at my typical workday as a tech worker based in Milwaukee.
Morning
6:30 a.m.
Rise and Grind
Waking up early to the sound of my alarm, I step outside onto my condo balcony overlooking the Milwaukee River to watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan. Mornings are when I take time for quiet reflection, and I silently list three things I’m grateful for as I gear up for a new week. Walking downstairs, I’m headed to the gym for a quick workout to get my blood pumping before getting ready for the day.
8:00 a.m.
Morning Ritual
It’s summer. The sun shines, and the breeze off the lake is refreshing as I pedal the Milwaukee Lakefront Trail. Dozens of commuters are soaking up the nice weather by walking, biking, or taking electric scooters to the office or their favorite cafe. We’re here. I hop off my bike at my favorite coffee shop, Colectivo On The Lake, and grab a hot latte and breakfast sandwich before heading home for my first meeting.
9:00 a.m.
Weekly Team Meeting
Dressed in my best athleisure back at my home office, I dial in for a virtual team meeting on Zoom. My team members span multiple time zones, given our ability to live and work where we choose. As a program manager, it’s my job to ensure various projects are executed on time and in line with our company’s and clients’ goals. We go ‘around the room’ chatting about the highlights of our weekend, giving project status updates, and addressing challenges, and I support my team members who need it. Our meeting wraps up, and I send out a recap and list of action items to guide our efforts for the week.
10:30 a.m.
Focus Block
After making a quick protein shake, I settle back into my workspace for a focus block until lunchtime. I like to batch my tasks for the week using Asana. It helps me track multiple projects simultaneously and shows who is responsible for which tasks and when everything is due to ensure on-time delivery. Scrolling through my email inbox, I see an invitation to a networking event at a local brewery later in the week and hit “accept.” There’s a great community of young professionals that live in and around Downtown Milwaukee, so there’s always something going on.
Afternoon
12:30 p.m.
Mentor/Mentee Lunch
I’m meeting a mentor for lunch at the Milwaukee Public Market. It’s bustling with hungry office workers and cheerful local vendors. We grab a table outside to take in the sights and sounds of the Historic Third Ward while we enjoy our go-to sushi lunch for me and loaded nachos for my mentor. We meet about once a month to discuss work and life goals and ways to achieve them. It’s a two-way street where we hold each other accountable and enjoy each other’s company.
1:30 p.m.
Focus Block
Back at home, I open my laptop and dive into project planning, coordinating touch bases and deadlines with stakeholders and analyzing data from a recent project to drive future decision-making. I stay connected with my team throughout the day through Slack messages, video calls, and occasional meme exchanges.
Evening
5:00 p.m.
Workday Wind Down
After hitting ‘send’ on my last email of the day, I close my laptop and begin my post-work wind-down ritual. Working remotely for three years, I’ve set cues to help my brain change gears from work to play. One of my favorite ways to ease the transition is a short walk along the Riverwalk, a picturesque boardwalk along the Milwaukee River just steps from my condo. Lots is happening, from people kayaking to guided boat tours and peddle tavern bachelorette parties. The city’s energy is contagious and gets me in the right headspace for seeing friends for dinner later in the evening.
6:00 p.m.
Dinner with Friends
Milwaukee has a diverse culinary scene, from street tacos to upscale surf & turf. Tonight, me and a few friends are trying out a new small plates restaurant we discovered on Instagram. The rest of the week, I’ll cook dinner at home, treat myself to my favorite Thai food from GrubHub, and watch my favorite series.
8:00 p.m.
Rhythm and Brews
After dinner, we head to a local microbrewery for a round of trivia and live music. Known as Brew City, Milwaukee has countless breweries with different vibes and atmospheres. After a flight of seasonal summer flavors, I call an Uber and head home to unwind and prepare for the next day.
10:00 p.m.
Relax and Unwind
My Uber driver drops me off at my building, and I head upstairs. The moon casts a shimmery glow on the lake, signaling the day is ending. After an action-packed day, my apartment needed some tidying up, so I put away the dishes and straightened my workspace. I crawl into bed and crack open the book I’m reading, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. One of my goals this year is to read one book each month to push me to learn new things and reduce my screen time after working on the computer.
Weekdays vs. Weekends
Mondays set the tone for my week, so I like to charge into the week with renewed energy and do what I can to plan and prepare on a work and personal level. Since I live in the middle of the city, running errands during lunch breaks is easy since most places are within walking or biking distance. This means I can enjoy my weekends to the fullest. I’m taking sailing classes at the Milwaukee Sailing Center on Saturdays and am on track to earn my certification this summer. On Sundays, I get outside whenever possible, whether walking around Lakeshore State Park for incredible skyline and lake views or going to a local festival during the summer. The possibilities are truly endless, which is why living and working in Milwaukee works for me!
