|
|
YH Magazine Meets Julie
Daly
This month YH
Magazine brings you an exclusive interview with HYPE's (Hartford
Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs) Program Manager Julie Daly.
Q: What interests you about working for the MetroHartford Alliance
on HYPE?
My parents both grew up in Hartford and I was raised in
Wethersfield, so I have always had a special place in my heart for
this area. After I graduated from UConn in 2005, I worked for
Leadership Greater Hartford for 2 years. The assignments I most
enjoyed there involved coordinating tours of Hartford for
participants of LGH programs. My eyes were opened to all the amazing
things happening in this Region, and I fell even deeper in love with
Hartford. When the HYPE Program Manager position was announced, I
knew it would give me the opportunity to help showcase everything
this city has to offer. Hartford has so much going for it, and it’s
exciting to help other young professionals see that.
Q:
Where is your favorite spot in Hartford?
It’s too hard to pick just one! I have to say, I absolutely love
working downtown. It’s so easy to pop over to Hartford Stage for a
show, grab a coffee at Jojo’s, or stop by Vaughan’s for happy hour
(just to name a few). I can’t wait for the spring when I can take
walks through Bushnell Park on my lunch break.
Q:
What is a typical day like at work as the HYPE Program Manager?
It’s usually a combination of a number of things. I could be meeting
with one of HYPE’s volunteer committees, the presenter of an
upcoming workshop, or an organization looking to work with HYPE. I’m
responsible for getting the e-newsletter out to the membership and
giving presentations to employees of companies that offer HYPE
membership as an employee benefit. I also work with other
MetroHartford Alliance staff members on four teams, each around one
of the nine key priorities we will be concentrating on for the next
four years. One of the largest and most important components of my
job right now is fielding questions about HYPE membership.
Q:
How does membership work?
There are three ways young professionals can join HYPE; as an
employee of a company offering HYPE membership as an employee
benefit, as a municipal employee of a participating city or town in
the Greater Hartford Region, or as an individual. There are
currently 110 companies and 30 municipalities supporting HYPE
membership, and Individual Memberships are available for a $40
annual fee. After submitting an application through the HYPE
website, members begin receiving the HYPE e-newsletter and are
issued a membership number to use when registering for events. HYPE
members are eligible for exclusive member-only events as well as
member pricing for all HYPE and MetroHartford Alliance events. We
try to offer many events covering a range of interests, from social
networking opportunities to educational workshops.
Q:
Are there opportunities available to HYPE members beyond attending
events?
Definitely! There are four committees consisting of dedicated and
diverse young professionals working to strengthen HYPE (Core,
Development, and Events Committees, and the Entrepreneur Task
Force). Committees meet monthly and are always happy to welcome
active volunteers. HYPE’s current Chair, Vice Chair and Committee
Chairs were elected in January of this year. Get HYPEd, a casual
event to be held during the first week of every month, offers the
chance to talk to the leadership one on one, ask questions, and
learn about all aspects of HYPE, including committee involvement.
Q:
What kind of things do you like to do outside of work?
I try to spend as much time as I can with my family and friends. I
just became an aunt for the first time on February 3, so I have a
feeling I’ll be making even more time for them now! I’m also in a
brand new all-female a cappella group called The Sweetest Key. We’re
still building our repertoire (everything from Poco to Sara
Bareilles), and we should be ready for gigs by the spring. I am
always going out to try new restaurants as well as experimenting
with new recipes at home. When I can find the time, I love to work
out and go to the movies, too.
|
