I am the associate director of college communications at Unity College, which is a small environmental college with a growing national reputation in Unity, Maine. I work in college advancement/public relations: all of our outreach flows through my office. I write and edit the college magazine, do press releases, marketing and handle most of the college's photography needs.

EDUCATION | B.S. in English from Northeastern University; Masters of Teaching in English Education from Boston University; Masters of Computer Technology in Education from Thomas College

HOW TO GET STARTED | If you want to pursue a career in public relations, you have to enjoy reading and writing and develop skills in those areas.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Love of writing and reading, a basic sense of curiousity, ability to learn from others.

how I got started | My goal back in college was to become a journalist. In addition to studying International Marketing and European Economics as an international student in London, U.K., I pursued internships at the Enfield and Harringey Advertisers in Enfield, U.K., and at the Boston Globe. Also, I was the work-study assistant to the coordinator for graduate english programs at Northeastern University. I graduated with a B.S. in English from Northeastern in 1988 and took a job as a reporter with James Newspapers based in Norway, Maine. I loved working for the newspaper, but I also loved the college environment. By 1992, I decided that I needed a change. I picked up and moved to Boston. Over several years I held several different part-time and temporary staff positions at Harvard University. In 1994, I entered the graduate school of education at Boston University (BU). After earning a Master of Arts in Teaching, English Education from BU, I taught at St. Dominic Regional High School in Maine, and also served the Maine Community College system as an Adjunct Instructor. In 1998, I took a job as the Public Relations Officer at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. This position gave me the opportunity to draw on many of the skills that I had sharpened as a journalist, including photography, editing, and writing. It also allowed me to apply the marketing skills that I had developed while a student in the U.K. and at Northeastern. I also earned a Master of Computing Technology in Education from Thomas College, serving as a commencement speaker. Throughout my career I have consistently diversified and updated my skills. Since 2004, I have served as the Associate Director of College Communications at Unity College, a small environmental college with a growing national reputation in Unity, Maine. It is known as America's Environmental College.

why this job?| I find great personal fulfillment by having a direct stake in an organization that I believe in. We have such a great sense of mission at Unity College.

why I love this job!| I love the diversity in my co-workers and the students attending Unity. I love that my job is in Maine, where I grew up and hope to stay. Also, the organization of Unity has great people who are passionate about contributing to the college. There's an interpersonal connection that's phenomenal.

my typical day| Every day is different. I may be writing articles for the college magazine, shooting photographs at a musical event, strategizing, or speaking with the media.

what they are | You have to like being involved in multiple projects all at the same time. This type of work is not predictable, and you have to be able to handle the surprises and go with the flow.

all about growth | Economic analysts suggest that anything related to a greener economy has strong growth potential.

my website| http://www.unity.edu/AboutUnity/MeetOurStaff/MTardif/MTardif.aspx