Veteran Profile: Nicole McFarland

Patch of the struggles of veterans facing fewer employment opportunities, and the successes, too.

We want to do more.

If you are a veteran and are looking for work, we invite you to contact us and answer the questions below, so we can put your job search information on our sites.

1. Name, rank, age, town, brief work/service history.

Nicole McFarland, Chief (E7), Columbia. 

I was a military photographer and video production specialist during my time in the Navy. I started my career as a command photographer for a P-3 Orion squadron documenting command history, awards, change of commands, re-enlistments, retirements, etc. I also was an aerial photographer, deploying worldwide on numerous occasions. In 2006 I went to video school at Fort Meade, and then did a tour at the Naval Media Center in Washington, D.C. as a video production specialist. I shot, edited, and produced video for the Navy's television programs Daily News Update (now called All Hands Update), Navy/Marine Corps News, and All Hands Television. Following active duty, I went into the reserves and worked at the Navy Chief of Information's office in the Pentagon processing media in a content management system used to disseminate content to civilian media. During that time I finished my BA in Communication Studies from UMUC. In addition to the media and communication skills I acquired during my time in the Navy, I also managed personnel and projects to accomplish the Navy's information mission. 

2. What expertise did you develop in your service in branch of service/location?

My expertise was in media and communications.

3. What was your greatest accomplishment in the service? Or what are you most proud of in your service?

My greatest accomplishment and what I'm most proud of was making Chief. In the Navy it's a big deal when you achieve that rank, and what you have to go through to put it on is an accomplishment in itself. I am also proud of the work ethic the Navy instilled in me. I take pride in what I do, and do it to the best of my ability always. I don't take short-cuts to get the job done, and I stand behind my work.

4. What are you looking for in a civilian job?

My ideal civilian job would be in media relations for private industry or the government. Finding something local is also high on my list because of the commute, but it's not a deal breaker. 

If you are a veteran looking for work or know of one, we urge you to contact us and/or fill out answers to the above questions.

Simply email Patch editor Lisa Rossi at lisa.rossi@patch.com