Houston Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) equips our member companies’ next generation of business and community leaders with unique, regular year-round initiatives and curated programs designed to build skills and advance their leadership potential. We offer customized professional development opportunities through our bi-monthly newsletter.
Carly Bylund, VP Commercial Relations Manager and HYPE Champion at Frostbank. Bylund shares insights about HYPE’s value to young professionals and summarizes the latest HYPE Summit, an annual conference that connects HYPE members with Houston’s top leaders.
How has your participation in HYPE helped you make meaningful connections within the Houston business community?
Being a member of HYPE is a great way to stay connected to the Houston community. HYPE is a group of young professionals, so connecting with like-minded people at similar career stages was extremely beneficial. HYPE has made it easy to meet other people and has become a natural way to build my network.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a HYPE Champion and what motivates you to continue participating in events?
As a HYPE Champion, I look forward to seeing familiar faces at every event. It’s motivating to be surrounded by people who are passionate about the opportunities Houston offers us. Every HYPE event draws such a diverse group of attendees that you can expect to leave each event having learned something new about the industry, the company, and even Houston itself.
Can you share a memorable moment from a recent HYPE event that had a significant impact on your career and perspective on opportunities in Houston?
HYPE Summit was a very fun day! Having the opportunity to hear the stories and advice of successful professionals in Houston is invaluable. I especially loved the breakout discussions in small groups with each speaker. It was inspiring to hear from people like Syzygy CEO Trevor Best, SVP and CHRO Andrea Alexander, Coterra, and Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean.
How do you think HYPE’s diverse group of participants contributes to your professional growth and understanding of Houston’s various industries?
The diversity of attendees at every HYPE event is something I really value. Each session presents an opportunity to learn new things about different industries and companies. I always leave these events with a broader perspective on Houston’s business environment and new connections that contribute to my personal and professional growth.
The HYPE Summit will feature insights from successful professionals. What is the most inspiring advice or story you heard at an event?
Success varies from person to person, so I enjoy hearing about people’s specific career paths and how they got to where they are today. One of the things that struck me most was how many opportunities there are for young professionals in Houston to become leaders as we transition from generation to generation. It was really inspiring to hear from entrepreneurs like Trevor Best and executives like Andrea Alexander and Steve Keene. Their stories reminded us that success comes in many forms and often comes through unconventional paths. It made me open to new opportunities and think more strategically about how to shape my career.
HYPE events bring together people from a variety of industries. How did these interactions expand your understanding of Houston’s economic climate?
Every time you attend a HYPE event, you expand your understanding of Houston’s economic climate. Meeting experts in different fields and learning about their companies opens your eyes to new possibilities. These interactions are a great way to stay informed about what’s going on in different industries in the city.
What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming HYPE event and how it will contribute to the flourishing of Houston’s young professional community?
I’m already looking forward to the next HYPE event! These gatherings are a great way to stay connected, learn from others, and expand your professional network. I’m excited about the future of HYPE. Because HYPE keeps young professionals engaged and invested in Houston’s success. And that’s something I’m proud to be a part of.
HYPE is a member-based program. To subscribe, you must be currently employed by a member company. Click here to learn more about this program.
