Daryl DuLong

The story of why, when and how you decided to move here (or stay here): Growing up in Boston, I had plenty of options for college, and the economy of the mid- to late 1990s made it easy to pursue your dreams anywhere. At the time, I was interested in pursuing a medical degree, and after looking at schools around the country, I became very interested in the University of Rochester and its strong program and close ties to a teaching hospital. I ended up changing directions and pursuing an economics degree instead. Following graduation, I worked in IT for a few years, and subsequently made the decision to follow my dream of an advanced degree and return to the fields I love—business management and health care. While attending the Simon School, I did an internship at Bausch & Lomb in the pharmaceuticals business, and ultimately was offered a full-time position with the company. I’ll be honest in saying my exposure to the city of Rochester was very limited while an undergrad student, but my first job, graduate school and my current position have afforded me the chance to really explore all this region has to offer, and to take advantage of the great places and activities we have at our fingertips. It’s truly a great part of the country to experience myriad activities, and a place where you can work hard and play hard year-round.

Where you went to undergraduate college / graduate school: B.A. economics, University of Rochester; MBA, competitive and organizational strategy, international management, business environment and public policy, Simon Graduate School of Business

Where you work now and your job title: Manager, global lens care, Bausch & Lomb Inc.

Where do you live? In Rochester’s Park Avenue area for my past few apartments, and loving every minute of it.

What do you like about life in Rochester? I love the four seasons. No, really! I know people may criticize the winters, but it’s great to experience a white Christmas and a beautiful summer in the same area. I also like how 20 minutes in any direction takes you to a vastly different place, from the Finger Lakes, to Lake Ontario, to some great restaurants and shopping areas.

What do you do for fun? I picked up golf while at the Simon School, and I love the massive number of courses and the lack of a crowd at any particular one. I also love to hike, go boating and bike along the rivers and canal. The winter days are perfect excuses for staying inside, cooking up a serious feast, and catching up with great friends on the movies we’ve missed.

What would you tell a college student (who is trying to decide where to live after graduation) about what life is like here post-college? It’s a very social city. Hanging out in the Park Ave. area is one of the best things about the warm days, and the collection of concerts, museums, food options and unique hidden treasures keeps things interesting. There is a very strong young professionals community too, so you never feel isolated.

What’s the best first step to making friends and finding your way around? Join a group or club of people with similar interests, whether they be an activity, politics, career path or similar item. It’s amazing how quickly you can meet people who share your interests and values.
[Posted in 2009]