Hartford Public Schools Career Pathway Program Prepared Alumnus for Successful Career

Enzo Daci and his family moved to Hartford from Albania just before his 15th birthday. He recalls feeling overwhelmed by a new city, a new language, and a new school.

Then, he discovered the Career Pathways at Hartford Public Schools – an opportunity that changed the trajectory of his life.

Today, Daci is a Senior Financial Consultant at Travelers Insurance in Hartford. He credits the Career Pathway program for his success.

“It gave me purpose. If it wasn’t for the Pathway, I wouldn’t have even thought about a job in insurance in high school,” said Daci. “Because what high schooler thinks about insurance or finance?”

While an HPS student, Daci signed up for the Insurance and Finance Pathway, which now lives at Weaver High School. The program allowed him to complete two internships, including one at Travelers, earn hands-on experience in the workforce, and build critical connections with industry leaders.

He said one moment that sticks out in his mind is a full-day visit with his Pathway classmates to The Hartford. The company split the group into teams, having the students solve problems and give a presentation to the class.

“It was great to use the skills we learned in school and see the real-world application,” said Daci.

After graduation, he attended Central Connecticut State University. A Travelers EDGE scholarship, which is an extension of the Industry Advisory Board that supports students in Career Pathways, gave him a leg up when it came time to enter the workforce.

“Travelers was one of the companies early on that I was very excited about,” he said. “I did some job-shadowing while in high school. It started motivating me to work toward something. Because of the knowledge I had about Travelers, going into the interview knowing the company and what to expect helped a lot. And it helps when you’re confident in the interview process.”

Daci explained how the Pathway gave him a sense of community, in addition to workforce skills. That’s why he is now part of the Pathway’s Industry Advisory Board. He played a key role in launching a mentorship program.

“I want to give the same opportunities to someone else. The Pathway was a great way to learn more about the opportunities in this type of job market. It’s a great way to explore.”