Check Out Nicolette Thayer’s Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Nicolette Thayer.

Hi Nicolette, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Maryland. I knew from a young age that I craved independence. I wanted to see more and do more, something that is more achievable in a city. I was fixated on Nashville and packed my bags, relocating at 17 for college. I went to Trevecca Nazarene University, meeting some of my closest friends to date. I began working in Nashville, and after considering a relocation, I landed a full-time job.

I began going to grad school for my MBA at Lipscomb University and got a job promotion. After a tough layoff, I picked up bartending again (a job that I’ve had on and off since early college) and considered another relocation. However, a month before my lease renewal, I landed the job I have now with the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance.

Something about Nashville has kept me rooted here for almost 10 years now. I don’t know if it’s the ever-growing and changing cityscape, the community of people I’m surrounded by, or the opportunities that seem to come at just the right time. However Nashville has been my home for quite some time, and it doesn’t seem like it will be changing any time soon.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. For one, I moved out here to Nashville all on my own. My family, whom I am extremely close with, all live in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. It’s really tough not being able to partake in birthday celebrations and summer parties. Luckily, I can utilize a quick and inexpensive flight home, but I can only do that so often. I get homesick often, but make calls daily to stay in touch with my family and really cherish the times I am able to spend with them.

My layoff last year was a big hit to my ego (and my bank account). I had just finished grad school and was making more money than I ever had before… all while working fully remotely. However, my company had a major recall that impacted its financial state. I ended up getting laid off, and the job market just didn’t seem to be working for me. It seemed that despite my degrees and previous experience, I could only land an entry-level job or an underpaying job. It took me 9 months to land the job I’m in now.

To be fair, I wasn’t job searching for a job for all nine months. I took some time to travel, picked up bartending, and also was able to earn some income with content creation. However, I really crave stability, and a full-time job with a set pay was something I was really looking for.

After lots of rejections, drawn-out interview processes, and a job I took and promptly quit after three weeks (long story, but it was not a good fit), I landed the community engagement program manager role at the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance. I’m only a few weeks in, but I really think this is a good fit for my skill set and my passions!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I kind of joke around with my friends when I say, if you pay me, and it’s honest work, I’ll do it.

Since moving to Nashville, I’ve been a mail room attendant, print shop worker, book shop worker, companion for elderly people, bartender, disco ball assistant, cotton candy maker, extra in TV shows, and research study participant. You name it, I’ve done it. I’ve always juggled at least a few jobs. But let me break down what I do now.

I’m a community engagement program manager for the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance. This is a strategic partnership between Meharry Medical College and VUMC. The main goal of this partnership is to eliminate health disparities and promote health equity. In my role specifically, I’m meeting with both universities and community organizations to address the needs of our community members.

I also coordinate programming and events to address these needs. I’m still new in this role and learning a lot about how I can make an impact before I dive in. But I’m very excited; I’ve shifted from the big corporate role to a local and community-centric role. When I’m not doing that, I bartend part-time at Cheekwood. I’ve been doing this on and off for years. The event staff is so amazing and works with my ever-changing schedule. I just love working at the beautiful weddings and events here.

And lastly, I also make content. Which is still a very new revenue stream for me. I make content for the Nudge, promoting things to do in the city in video format. It’s super fun, I’ve gotten to try and do so many fun things through this platform. And I also make freelance content for tourism departments. I’ve worked with Experience TN, Kentucky Tourism & Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Again, it’s been so fun exploring and creating along the way.

Okay, I feel like I just rambled on and on and on about my work. But I actually enjoy working, and now I hold roles that bring me joy, so I love to chat about it.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Hmm, this is a hard one. I feel like I’m a pretty open book. Maybe my sensitivity. I love to joke around, smile, and be lighthearted. But I take criticism and insults to heart. I cry a lot. There’s nothing that makes me more upset than friends using you at the end of their punchline.

This is also why I am not the biggest comedy fan. I’m sensitive to the point where I don’t find most comedians funny. I feel like if you have to use someone else to tell a joke, it’s not funny. It’s just mean. I don’t know. That’s all I got, haha!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolettethayer?igsh=Z2I2Z2c4ZHQyN3dy&utm_source=qr
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolettethayer?_t=8ldJ2g9OBYd&_r=1