Since I have come aboard at Upward Hartford, there have been many things to get excited about. Whether its hackathons, networking events, concerts with food trucks and beer, it has been exhilarating be a part of all action. With all that being said, if I had to choose one thing that I was the most thrilled and hopeful about, it would have to be the Upward Hartford App. You may be wondering how the launch of a mobile application can be more exciting for a college student then music, food and beer is, but rest assured, this app gives students like me a lot to look forward to.

Like many other college students nearing the end of their time in higher education, it’s time to look forward to what’s next. To best prepare for this, we search for internships, which in most cases, is a confusing and arduous process. For as long as I have been searching for internships, I have never found a platform or service where I feel confident I am seeing all that is out there in this area. Listing for internships are spread across so many platforms, whether it’s school specific ones, or larger listing aggregators, I never felt like I was seeing all that was available. Not only that, these platforms would only link you to where to apply, leaving you feeling a bit lost in the process of applying. With all of these factors, all I wanted was a platform I could go to that made me feel like I was being seen by companies and connected to them.

So, when I heard about the features the Upward Hartford app would provide to potential interns, I was thrilled. It’s no secret that Connecticut has issues keeping skilled college grads in state, and one of the keys to changing this is providing them local opportunities while they are still attending college in the area. This part of the app will make it easier for students like me, to be paired up with companies. All I have to do is fill out my profile with my skills and majors, and I will be listed in the app according to those. I know for a fact that there is no other platform that can provide this service for local college students, regardless of their university.

Another way I see this app being useful to me is the way it will help me grow my network and provide me with valuable knowledge. It can be hard when you are just starting out to find what you need to succeed. Sometimes you just need someone to bounce ideas off or ask advice. Having access to a list of mentors and experts on this app is crucial. It will allow open dissemination of knowledge and expertise to the next generation. Think of a recent college grad with an amazing idea, but doesn’t know where to start. With this app, they can find a mentor or expert who can meet with them and help them start the process.

Other than the obvious professional benefits the app provides, there is a social component that also has me excited. Having a forum like the main feed on the app to see what everyone is up to at Upward Hartford will allow me and everyone else to connect with like-minded individuals. Maybe I feel like taking a 15-minute break from work, I could post in the app if anyone at Upward Hartford wants to play a quick game of pool, or grab some coffee and chat. A lot of people have issues connecting with others around them while they are at work. This app, along with the amazing space at Upward Hartford, combines to make it so much easier to meet and chat with driven and engaging people. Not only that, but being able to easily see all the awesome upcoming events and buy tickets straight on the app will assure that I never feel left out of the fun.

So, on Thursday, September 14^th, when we celebrate the official launch of the app with an amazing bash at Upward Hartford, I know it will mark the start of an awesome tool for entrepreneurs, investors, students, and really, anyone who lives in the area. If you haven’t already, download the app, set up an account and check out this incredible digital tool that is at your disposal.

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/upward-hartford/id1229829894?mt=8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ezbz.upward&hl=en