Nicole Meyer hopes to either work as an event coordinator for a professional baseball team or travel to plan destination weddings. When she isn’t studying, Nicole can be found thrifting, watching movies, taking naps, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Get to know Nicole

  • Major: Event management
  • Class: Junior
  • Hometown: Sheldon, Iowa (O’Brien and Sioux counties)
  • Career goal: Event coordinator for either a Major League Baseball team or destination weddings
  • Clubs/activities: Event Management Club, CHS Ambassador, CySquad
  • Awards/honors: Dean’s list
  • Favorite place on campus: State Gymnasium
  • Most influential ISU mentor: David Francis
  • Favorite class: EVENT 383X, Sports Event Management
  • Why Iowa State: Great programs in kinesiology and event management, fell in love with the campus
  • Why Iowa State: Close to home and great event management program

Nicole Meyer learns the importance of effective communication, inclusive in event planning process

For Nicole Meyer, a junior in event management, communication is key. Growing up in a large family has taught her the importance of communicating effectively. Her father has 11 siblings, and her mother has seven—meaning any family get-together requires skillful coordination.

“Even vacations, or Christmases or birthday parties—how big those celebrations can be if they’re planned correctly just makes me really happy,” Nicole said. 

She has learned clear communication is vital to execute an event successfully and also serves as an important life skill. 

“I really like how [communication] makes everyone feel,” Nicole said. When you’re communicating and making sure everyone is involved, everyone is happy.” 

Nicole has worked as the event coordinator at Waterfront Event Center for the past two summers. Here, she has learned valuable skills such as preparing banquet event orders, coordinating weddings, charting, and organizing payments. She has also practiced detail-oriented communication.

“Communicate at the beginning of the day about what your goals are, and how you’re going to achieve those goals,” Nicole said, reflecting on what she has learned. “Then, communicate after it’s already done.”

Growing up, one of Nicole’s favorite pastimes was cheering on the New York Yankees with her grandfather. Getting the opportunity to attend a game in Yankee Stadium her senior year of high school only elevated her love for baseball and the environment it creates. She hopes to someday implement this love into her future career. 

“I would want to work for a baseball team. I like the New York Yankees, but that’s so far away from home,” Nicole said. “I think [working for] the Kansas City Royals [would be fun].”

This fall, Nicole is working as the event coordinator intern for Iowa State University Recreation Services and as a CySquad committee member for 2021 Homecoming Central—both positions where she incorporates her love of athletics by helping plan tournaments for participants.

Nicole is excited about what the future holds for her in event management and the opportunity to connect with people each day. 

“I don’t think I’ll ever have a bad day at work if I have the right attitude, and I communicate well with people,” Nicole said.