By Nan Price, Content Manager, MetroHartford Alliance
Consumer Engagement Specialist at Voya Financial Tyler Losure is one of six members of the HYPE (Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs) Executive Committee.
WHY HARTFORD?
TYLER LOSURE: I grew up between Bergen County, NJ and Rockland County, NY. With my Mom and her whole side of the family being from Connecticut, I always enjoyed and looked forward to coming up this way for holidays and whatnot.
When it came to decide where I wanted to go to college, I knew I wanted to be far enough away that I felt I was on my own but close enough to drive home should I need to. I also was looking for the right atmosphere.
I had attended a small high school in New Jersey (95 kids in my graduating class). So, I was looking for a school where I could have an opportunity to build the same close relationships like I had done at my high school, which is why I chose the University of Hartford.
My experience and relationships at UHart have also kept me here. I stayed for an additional two years to complete my Master’s in Public Relations while interning and working my way through graduate school. All the doors that kept opening for me and all the opportunities in the Hartford area have kept me and continue to keep me here.
HOW HAVE YOU BECOME A PART OF HARTFORD?
TYLER: I’m rarely one to say no to a new experience and I’ve felt that putting myself out there and trying all the great things Hartford has to offer has created a symbiotic relationship between Hartford and me. It’s constantly rewarding me in one way or another and I don’t know that the same would be true if I were anywhere else.
Through both my personal life and professional career, I have formed some amazing relationships with all different kinds of individuals, groups, businesses, and communities. These people and these groups, like HYPE, get me excited and proud to be working and living in the Hartford area.
My first introduction to HYPE came during my senior year of college, when one of my public relations classes partnered with HYPE to create a mock communications campaign for the organization. Fast forward to a few years after graduating, when I was working in marketing and event management for a small non-profit. At the time, I was looking to brainstorm engagement ideas for a young professionals group of our own that my company was trying to start and I remembered HYPE. In doing so, I immediately was impressed with not only the amount of but the variety of events and engagement opportunities HYPE had to offer. I joined shortly thereafter for own my benefits. HYPE quickly went from a useful means to network and expand my professional profile to making lasting personal connections with the other HYPE members.
HYPE, much like Hartford itself, can be whatever you need it to be. It can be a great and easy way to network and expand your professional profile or it can be a casual social group—or anything in between. If you want to work on your leadership and management skills, you can apply to be a vice chair of a committee. If you’re new to the area and just looking for the best coffee shops, check out HYPE’s social media or blog. Whatever you’re looking to get out of it, HYPE can deliver.
I’m currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Social Ambassador’s committee and it’s been nothing short of an amazing experience.
HOW HAS HARTFORD BECOME A PART OF WHO YOU ARE?
TYLER: Hartford is my home. Growing up, I moved around a lot (I think I counted 12 times by the age of 19) and I never felt truly grounded in where I was living. Hartford is now the one place I’ve lived the longest in my almost 30 years and I’m excited to be planting my roots here. My fiancé and I recently bought our first home together in West Hartford and are settling in. It’s such a great feeling knowing I am home here.
WHAT MAKES HARTFORD UNIQUE?
TYLER: Hartford, much of what I also loved about the University of Hartford, has this fantastic way being what you need it to be. We have the benefits of being a close-knit community with many of the same advantages of being a city.
We’re a growing group and I think we are starting to see the right people in the right places to help continue this journey of growth we’ve been seeing.
Hartford also has an array of different cultures and communities. Whether you’re an artist, a musician, an athlete, an outdoorsman, or you’re into craft brews, whatever it might be, you can bet there’s a place for you here.
HOW DO YOU TELL THE STORY OF HARTFORD?
TYLER: Hartford is a welcoming city that prides itself on its rich history and culture while also working tirelessly to be at the forefront of innovation. It’s a city that has a lot to say and teach if you just stop and listen.