HIP Spotlight: M. Angela Baker, Project Manager
HIP’s most sought after services for technical assistance, grants management and training all involve project management. One of HIP's project managers, M. Angela Baker (who goes by Angela), demonstrates the professionalism and expertise our team depends on to deliver comprehensive quality to our customers.
Before Angela joined High Impact Partners (HIP) as a Project Manager, she used her association management skills in the education, aging services, and national healthcare industries. Her experience in managing grant-funded programs accelerated her expertise in workforce development, and in 2018 she served as a technical assistance coach for HIP’s contract with the U.S. Department of Labor to support the education and workforce-focused America's Promise grant.
In 2021, Angela joined HIP as the Project Manager (PM) for the Job Corps Scholars Demonstration Project, a federal contract with the Department of Labor.
“I enjoy working on projects that improve people’s lives. I may not be working directly with the people who receive the services, but my contributions to support the projects impact the overall goals. I don’t think people are aware of all the good things they (the Department of Labor) do for training, education, and career development designed to sustain careers for people to support their families and all the things the Department does.”
Q. Angela, you are going on your second year as a PM for HIP. What do you like best about your job?
AB. I've always liked working on projects. The projects are defined with a start and end date. They are typically government contracts that focus on a program, and the project schedule will have timelines that keep you very productive, always submitting the deliverables. When one project ends, another begins. There's always variety.
Q. What are you working on now?
AB. Currently, I'm on two projects. I'm the lead and PM on two Department of Labor projects. One is the Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD), and the other is the Job Corps National Safety Hotline project.
Q. What do you like about the variety of these projects?
AB. The work is very interesting, and when managing the project, there are a lot of wheels turning and moving parts that keep you engaged, and there isn't a lot of downtime. Having a deeper understanding of these projects allows me to motivate the coaches, and I'm always thinking about how the staff can be used more efficiently, improving the process, and what can be done to support the grantees. Every day is different, and I feel successful when things are continuously moving.
Q. What are your favorite types of projects to work on?
AB. I enjoy working on projects that improve people's lives. The projects that I've worked on with HIP do just that! These projects provide workforce training for youth and adults and increase sustainable employment opportunities. I may not be working directly with the people who receive the services, but my contributions to support these projects impact the overall goals. I don't think people are even aware of all the good things they (the Department of Labor) do for training, education, and career development designed to sustain careers for people to support their families and do all the things the Department does. And I like that!
Q. How do you stay self-motivated?
AB. A strong work ethic motivates me to do the best job I can. I stay motivated when there is work to be done. Just knowing that my work contributes to a higher purpose motivates me.
Q. What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
AB. I've always valued the importance of developing strong relationships in the workplace – across all levels of staff. These relationships enhance cooperation when input and support are needed from others. Plus, it's just nice to work well with others. I also view teamwork as essential, especially in project work. In my position, I work with a team of technical assistance coaches, HIP staff, project grantees, and the client. It's critical that we function as a team to meet the goals of the project. Teamwork is essential when working on projects. If you are uncomfortable working in teams, project work is not for you. How the work environment flows has significant impact as well. The people at HIP are very dedicated to the work and enjoy their job. There is so much affection for our CEO and wanting to do a good job for HIP and for Susan Shorters, which is a testament to what she brings to her staff and the industry.
Q. What do you enjoy most about working with HIP?
AB. The people – I genuinely like the people I work with and believe HIP staff work well as a team and are always willing to offer assistance when needed. While working in a remote environment, I find the staff responsive and available. And though making friends at work is not the focus of the job, it's through relationship building that some friendships emerge from knowing your co-workers, and it is such a wonderful thing; some of my lifelong friends I met through work.
Q. What has been your favorite memory while working at HIP?
AB. My favorite memory would be the first HIP holiday party I attended and met the HIP team in person in Washington, DC. It was a really nice place, and I just had a really good time seeing all the camaraderie and connection among the HIP staff and partners. And when COVID hit, we couldn't do that again, and we don't often have an opportunity to see each other in person. I hope this holiday season we can celebrate in person again.
Q. Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
AB. One thing I enjoy outside of work is attending live musical performances – specifically jazz. In fact, I just returned from my first international jazz festival, and it was a blast.
Q. I know you and the PROWD team are headed to Chicago for the grantee convening. Can you tell us a little about that?
AB. Yes, that is correct. HIP is developing and hosting a grantee convening in Chicago in September. A significant focus of the meeting is to foster community amongst grantees, and provide technical assistance in areas such as partnership engagement and peer mentoring that will foster much-needed support for the program’s targeted population. We will also have grantees share aspects of their programs, including trends, successes, and areas for growth. We expect this meeting to be informative, engaging, and invigorating.
To learn more about the PROWD project, please visit the DOL WorkforceGPS Community Page.