Nicole McDonnell

Born and raised in Massachusetts, I am a Junior in the Isenberg School of Management pursuing a BBA in Marketing with a minor in Psychology. Once I graduate in May, 2015, my hopes are to pursue a career in the Marketing industry, working at a big company in either New York or Boston. By working in the city, the outlets for marketing possibilities are endless and it gives me a better chance of branching out into the event planning side of the field. I have always loved to organize things all throughout my life and I have been able to further express my creative and organizational skills as an intern at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce this past fall. To be able to work closely with planning and overseeing the creation of local events in the town of Amherst, I have gained so much first hand knowledge and skills and such satisfaction in which the job brings me.

Not only do I aspire to achieve success in my career path, but also it’s very important to me to fulfill my passions in life. I believe that everyone can have more than one passion. It’s something that keeps us going everyday, that we take great pride or excitement in, anything from a hobby, profession, to a cause we seek to help out. One of my greatest passions has always been my love for baking. It was through my mother and Yiayia (grandmother in Greek) at an early age, who taught me the joys and tradition of baking, as well as Martha Stewart’s TV shows that woke something in me to develop my passion. I am always looking for an excuse to bake just so I am able to explore my creative side and share my creations with my friends and family. The different seasons and holidays inspire me, fall especially because of all the rich different pumpkin and spice varieties.

Because part of my influence for my passion for baking was developed through my Yiayia from Greece, it has sparked my desire to travel. I feel like each different culture has so many different things to offer whether it is through food, architecture, or history. All of these fascinate me and this coming Spring of 2014, I will be lucky enough to emerge myself in the Italian lifestyle by studying abroad in Rome. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am more than excited to accept the new experiences, memories, and knowledge that I will acquire overseas.