By Angie Fitton

Are you a professional aged 45 and under? Then PULSE Young Professionals Group is definitely where you want to be! PULSE is hosted by the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce and was founded by Chairperson Alycia McCallum in 2017. McCallum initiates and runs each monthly event with her co-chair Ariane Morais.

The Chamber of Commerce is based in Milford, but covers ten different towns: Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis and Upton. They recently celebrated a huge milestone-100 years of service as of 2022!

So, what exactly is PULSE and what does it entail? PULSE is a young professionals networking group that meets once a month in one of the towns that the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce oversees. 

“It is a place where young professionals can meet like-minded young professionals,” says McCallum. “The people who attend these events build long term connections and relationships with one another.” This month, on Tuesday, March 12th at 9:30 a.m., visit King St. Cafe at 390 King Street in Franklin to find out what PULSE is all about! The link to register is at www.tricountychamberma.org.

Upon the start of the meeting, because it is considered speed-networking, each individual in the group gives a 60-second Introduction, which is a great way to share your professional background and interests, and also break the ice. The attendees are broken up into small groups where they can interact about things such as common interests and pain points in business. They discuss upcoming sales or events for their business and oftentimes give one another referrals. In order to get the most of the opportunities presented while taking part in these PULSE meetings, it is encouraged that each person schedules at least two follow-up one on one meetings with those they connect with in the group.

This month’s event is what is known as a “coffee connection”, where young professionals meet and partake in discussions over coffee and breakfast. McCallum and Morais like to mix it up and alternate between coffee connections and “after hours events”. 

In February, the event was visiting a brewery after hours. There have also been trivia nights, and the members of PULSE work on thinking of different ways to engage and be proactive with social/professional development activities. Unlike many professional networking programs, PULSE does not limit one seat per profession, keeping the group open to anyone who wants to attend, not relying on a “first come first served” policy.

PULSE also prides itself on being passionate about volunteering. In the early fall, they always have an event designed to give back to the community. Last fall they visited Gilly’s House in Wrentham, where they had a barbeque and potluck dinner. While there, they had the opportunity to get to know the residents and toured the house.

The Tri-County Chamber of Commerce is also very big on empowering women and connecting women leaders. They recently hosted an after-hours event at Dean College in Franklin to discuss the importance of networking. On Saturday, March 23rd, they will hold the Family Fest and Home Show at the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School.

Alycia is grateful for the work she does with the Chamber of Commerce, alongside its members. Currently the committee members are Gregg Katz, Ryan Bradley, Kenython Burton and Eric Munoz, along with Sherri Hannon who is the Director of Programs and Events. “We want to grow the Chamber and hope in the future that young professionals who attend the PULSE events will become members,” she states.