What helps bridge the gap between The UConn Opportunity Fund Project and Wall Street?
There are various answers to that question, however, one greatly stands out. The answer I would give is the emphasis we place on professional development. With the Opportunity Fund, we continuously strive to develop and strengthen our skills. We are fortunate to have Maddy Lapides as a critical resource for our program.
Maddy Lapides offers her time following her 13 years heading Talent Management at People’s United Bank. Following her successful career of more than 36 years in banking she began to look for new ways and opportunities to pursue her passions and utilize the skills she developed over her career.
Students involved in the Opportunity Fund are given the ability to meet one-on-one with Maddy. The personalized session covers topics such as career building, resume review, and interview prep. These facets of professional development are instrumental ingredients in our mission to prepare our students to secure the coveted employment opportunities that will jump-start their careers. Maddy’s vested interest in these sessions proves her passion for helping coach our students and assisting them in becoming their best professional selves.
Speaking on my personal experience and session with Maddy, it is one of the most invaluable professional development activities I have participated in while at UConn. Students throughout the program have shared similar experiences regarding the insights and advice acquired through their interactions with Maddy. Allrich, a rising sophomore, had this to say – “Maddy played a huge part in me getting my internship. I had my internship interview a few days after we met. She helped me focus my answers, staying calm throughout the course, and making my interview unique. She was a great tool and I appreciate what she did for me!”
Not only does the Opportunity Fund give students the tools to invest in themselves, but it connects us to genuine people willing to share their talents and extend their time to offer support to our students’ efforts as well. But, judging by what Maddy had to say, it’s clearly a win-win for both sides.
“Meeting with members of UCONN’s Opportunity Fund Program has been a meaningful experience for me in many ways. I initially agreed to participate because I enjoy helping people grow and learn; it is what I build a long and successful career on. When I phased out of my corporate career, this assignment offered me the opportunity to continue working with individuals invested in their personal development. It had the added benefit of enabling me to continue to learn from others – it works both ways – and conversing with individuals from a different generation has been refreshing and adds perspective and dimension to my worldview. I have found the students in this program to be extremely bright, articulate, and more mature than I anticipated. I have met so many interesting and delightful students who have enriched my days probably more than they realize.”
That speaks to what the Opportunity Fund is all about!
As we continue our efforts to bridge the gap between The Opportunity Fund and Wall Street, it’s people like Maddy who make this program so unique.
Pledge your Support: https://bridgenewsletter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=web&utm_source=subscribe-widget-preamble&utm_content=146185454&next=https%3A%2F%2Fbridgenewsletter.substack.com%2Fp%2Fwhere-it-all-began-a-return-to-tolland