My MS helped me tremendously in terms of honing as well as gaining confidence in my skills as a communications professional.  I have repeatedly chosen positions that have demanded skills in marketing and public relations as well as diplomacy and public speaking and I so appreciate the richness and practicality of the program at IC.  

I am constantly aware of the sometimes frightening range of skills of those who traditionally have ended up in "communications" as it has in many ways been a dumping ground field for folks who don't like math but who know a 4-year degree in psychology won't get them squat. 

I am happy to say, however, that I have begun to notice an increased appreciation for those who "do what we do." Technology and globalization have helped to greatly elevate the importance of professionals who truly understand that in any organization, quality communication is a vital and challenging art.  A sign of these times: One of the things I do in my current job is help colleagues craft e-mail messages with the right amount of syrup, snark and clarity to get them what they need done.  Who knew that "good e-mail writing" would become a marketable skill?

So speaking of work.... after completing the program at IC, I moved back to NYC for a while then moved back up to the Southern Tier of New York for a position as in executive communications and manager of video production for Corning Incorporated.  I then began Graystreet ( http://www.graystreet.com ), a communications consulting, video and Web production company with my friend and business partner, John Tonello that we still run today.  I also served as Creative Director for WETM-TV, the NBC affiliate in Elmira, NY for a couple of years.

I now work for Cornell University as their Senior Press Information Officer.  If you Google my name, you will see the myriad stories for which I have been fortunate to manage press; topics ranging from canine flu to autism; from self-injury to architecture, this job has exposed me to a great deal indeed!

If you DID Google my name, you may have also learn that I am a breast cancer survivor.  I was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer in October of 2005 and am now in remission.  As I said in a speech I gave at my local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure ( http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/AfterTreatment/NicollaPytell?ssSourceNodeId=302&ssSourceSiteId=Komen ), the most difficult thing about not knowing what caused it, is not knowing how to NOW keep it at bay.  This experience, however, has blessed me with a great deal, including knowledge and perspective I may never have had and empathy and appreciation for life I may never have known.  So I am grateful indeed and thrilled that because of the somewhat public positions I have held, I am continually given the opportunity to share what I have learned and help others with their own journeys with cancer.

Back to trivia-- a few folks may remember that I am also a musician.  I still do music and while I don't play out much anymore still play the guitar and occasionally even pen a new song.  My old Web site is here:  http://www.nicolaonline.com .

I promise a new pic soon but for now this one (that obviously shows the G.I. Jane look of chemo-recovery) is the best one I have.  I actually grew very fond of almost-baldness and -- I know you all care -- have decided to keep my hair short. THESE, my friends, colleagues and fellow grad pals, are the BIG decisions of life. 

All best to everyone!

Nicola

:-)