Gary A. Carra Jr. could be considered a modern Renaissance man. He’s a veteran community newspaper reporter, editor, and publisher; graphic designer; music critic; and now, marketing coordinator for continuing education at Capital Community College in downtown Hartford.
His job is aimed at people seeking personal enrichment, from cooking classes and salsa instruction to certification and training needs. He promotes a business analyst certification, care giving for veterans, communication and negotiation skills. The college can even help you get your boating license.
His position mixes the tried and true elements of marketing – press releases with photos – as well as modern tactics like email blasts to area newspapers.”Plans call for getting very specific with niche publications, job fairs and town Web sites and events – grassroots efforts like that. I will put a local angle on everything,” he said.
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Using Contacts
Carra is also the general manager of The Airport News, a free monthly newspaper distributed in and around Bradley International Airport. He also publishes and edits North Central News, a monthly newspaper he founded to serve Somers, Ellington, and Stafford Springs. He’s also a veteran music writer with a decade-old column “The Nightcrawler” in the Valley Advocate in Western Mass.
“I’ve been using contacts from all of these,” said Carra, 36.
Hartford’s bright lights didn’t initially beckon Carra, a Somers resident, but he’s warmed to it. “I’m actually enjoying Hartford. There are a lot of opportunities here. Obviously, all the players are here. Now I’m able to walk around and see people instead of having to get in my car and drive to see them,” he said.
Carra admits he has to overcome a similar bias by suburbanites to coming into downtown Hartford to study at the community college, which is located at 960 Main St.
He said it will be his mission to make people aware there are classes that can help them personally or advance their careers. “I will (also) work on breaking down the stigma of coming into Hartford by promoting credit classes online during winter session to save time and the cost of commuting,” Carra said.
