MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: CAROL CHIAVETTA CAREER OWNERSHIP IN ACTION

By Jessica O’Neill, DLE Marketing Intern, Finance and Marketing Dual Major, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

There is no success sweeter than what is reached after a time of great difficulty. DLE Community Member Carol Chiavetta can attest to that.

Rocked by a December 2019 job loss and then, in just a few months, the pandemic, Carol gathered up her inner strength and developed a concrete game plan to take ownership of her career path. Networking was a major factor in her career pursuits. She actively seized the robust diversity and breadth of the DLE community, regularly attending programs and establishing new connections with fellow members.

“Being a part of the DLE and attending these programs has allowed me to feel more comfortable and given me skills that I can apply in my own life.”

Another tactic she applied was asking former business colleagues for their advice on critical communication and leadership skills and how best to project them during virtual interviews. Carol’s professional background includes a multi-decade career in theater and the entertainment industry, including marketing leadership roles with the Blue Man Group and Disney. She took inventory of her contacts and reached out for their dos and don’ts for adapting to the pandemic-changed job interview process, now dominated by screenshots.

“Many believe that it is nearly impossible to show your true charisma through a screen because of the lack of body language, but you can adapt and get comfortable. You can really tell what someone is feeling over a Zoom. You just have to tune into it,” Carol explains.

“I have learned a lot. If you are empathetic and intuitive, you can start to tell who is engaged with you during a Zoom call.”

Patience, persistence and grit has paid off. Carol, who lives in Northampton, MA, is now working as the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, ME. In her role, she is responsible for strategic marketing and communications for the organization. She adds, “I am excited to take this company to the next level.”

As Carol travels to the Ogunquit location, she is giving herself and her family some time before they decide to make the move up to Maine.

By understanding how to emit her real-life enthusiasm in a virtual world, Carol has achieved tremendous success. Her belief in herself, relentless job searching and persistent dedication to bettering her skills are all admirable qualities.

One piece of advice Carol wants to relay to others is the importance of believing in yourself even when the situations look unpromising. “There will be times that you want to give up, but do not worry so much—because it always works out.”