Vitiello, Jill
- Jill Vitiello
- Major: English
- Minor: Women's Studies
- Year of Graduation: 1978
- Current Location (city): East Brunswick
- Current Occupation: Business owner
- Company Name: Vitiello Communications Group
- LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillvitiello/
- Why did you choose your major/minor, and what did you like most about it?: From the time I was eight years old, I knew I wanted to be a writer. From the time I was 14 years old, I knew I wanted to be an English major at Rutgers. Studying English literature at Rutgers allowed me to immerse myself in a world of the greatest thinkers and writers in history and in modern times. It gave me the opportunity to learn how to write and think and observe. I took the certificate in Women's Studies because I wanted to apply what I learned about literature to advance women's place in the arts and business.
- Tell us about your journey since graduation and the ways that your experiences at Rutgers and SAS (major/minor, classes, professors, clubs, etc.) have contributed to your successes.: After graduating from Rutgers, I landed a job in the Public Affairs department at a global insurance company on Wall Street. I learned about the field of corporate communications on that job. From there, I continued working in the field and became involved in industry organizations, going on to receive a Master of Arts in Journalism from New York University. Eventually, I became the speechwriter to the CEO of Equitable Insurance. When I started my family, I decided to go out on my own as a freelance business writer. From there, I started a business and grew it into a communications agency. Vitiello Communications Group celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2020.
- What advice do you have for our current Arts and Sciences students?: Get involved in the Rutgers community. Use the skills you have now to pursue your passion. Learn about the world of business. Volunteer your talent to benefit others. Immerse yourself in the community of like-minded people to learn from them. Take a genuine interest in others; and be interesting yourself.
- Do you have any exciting news to share?: I am proud to serve on SAS Executive Dean Peter March's Advisory Council.