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Michael P. Hayes, alumnus

michael hayesJob Title: Investment Writer, Marketing Manager
Attended SCSU: 1982-1986
Degree received: B.S. in journalism
Current place of employment: Citigroup Asset Management

 

 

 

Education

B.S. Journalism

 

Job description

I write marketing brochures, flyers and posters that try to convince financial professionals (stockbrokers) to sell Smith Barney and Salomon Brothers mutual funds, managed accounts, retirement investments, and Section 529 college savings plans. It's tremendously glamorous.


Family

I am indebted forever to my friend Susan (Ulffers) Banning (class of 1986) who was such a poor judge of character during the 1980s that she decided to set me up with her stunningly beautiful roommate, Mary Ellen Straborny. Mary Ellen and I were married in 1990. We have two beautiful children: Julia Kate and Michael Stephen, and are eagerly awaiting the day when we can leave the both of them home alone on a Saturday morning and go play 18 holes of golf.


Memories of SCSU

I have many significant memories from Southern. One of the most painful involves a certain Fairfield cheerleader, a case of Budweiser, a $10 earring, one large needle and the thought, "How painful could this possibly be?"


Most interesting thing that's happened to you since graduation

Interesting? Well, a few years ago my wife bought me a John Deere LT155 lawn tractor. I really love my lawn tractor.


Life Since Graduation

I would characterize my career as an unfortunate series of events: After wearing out my welcome at both the Hamden Chronicle and the New Haven Register, I set out to prove that trade magazines not only paid as poorly as newspapers but offered even less intellectual stimulation, joining such illustrious titles as World Coffee & Tea magazine, New England Waste Management, Folio: magazine, and the ever-popular Beverage Digest. Through some act of providence, I was hired as a reporter by Registered Representative (a magazine for stockbrokers), learned a little about Wall Street, and weaseled my way into a marketing communications position at Citigroup. My personal life today is like a Norman Rockwell painting (the nice ones you see on calendars). I never had it so good.


Other comments

"If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe