La Vita Bella
Last spring I was fortunate to spend some time in Italy and experience a way of life that was incredibly memorable. Living abroad introduced me to a new culture and a completely different way of life. The Italian culture is unlike many others; it values passion, love and life. It was amazing to see this passion resonate on every Italian street corner. Whether it was Massimo waving to me from his fruit stand or Glenda singing to herself as she made her way to work, a vivacious spirit – or passion – was evident. As a senior in college, when facing the daunting task of entering the workforce, I hope to find that same level of excitement.
I titled this post “La Vita Bella,” which means, “the beautiful life,” a saying that I heard many times while studying abroad. Living in Italy inspired me to live life with excitement, spirit and curiosity. I found myself eager to enjoy every moment of each day.
As a public relations major at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, I have found that I love the communications world and am increasingly excited about pursuing a career in this field. I believe that this passion that I have for my chosen field of study will allow me to always put my best foot forward. For many, however, finding this passion can be a difficult task; and even when it is found, can be lost over time. One of my biggest fears is losing my passion for the work I do. So I continually ask myself, and others, what can I do to ensure that I do not lose this spark? 
One of my favorite classes in Florence was the History of Italian Cinema. The course focused on the evolution of Italian film and the impact it had on culture throughout the ages. While we watched and discussed many films throughout the semester, one movie continued to resonate with me. Cinema Paradiso, the 1988 film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, explores the drive and passion of its protagonist Salvatore Di Vita. As a child, Salvatore found his passion in film and became a successful filmmaker as an adult;however, in the movie he is forced to resort back to his childhood to restore that excitement, that drive he once had.
As Salvatore demonstrates, it is not uncommon to lose your spark every now and again. I’m sure this is partially what drives my own fear. I hope that if I ever find my zeal for my work slipping, that I can step back, as Salvatore did, revisit my roots and reignite that flame.
As my colleague Todd Miller wrote on January 12, passion is an integral part of leadership and business success. When you have passion for your work, the other pieces of your job seem to fall into place.
I have always been drawn to the saying, “When you choose a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life.” Shouldn’t we all love what we do? I plan on it. Ciao!
Jordana Carideo is an intern at CJP Communications. She is a senior public relations major at Quinnipiac University. 