Christopher Monello

Briefly describe your daily job duties.
Simply said my job is to drive subscription revenue growth across all digital channels: email, social media, website, search, etc.

As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job.
The most challenging part of my job is communicating via Zoom, phone calls, Slack messages, etc. As a person who stutters, it’s hard for others to know when I’m done sharing a thought. This can be frustrating when I’m in the middle of a block and I need a bit more time to convey my ideas. In person communication is easier for others to gauge when I’m done speaking.

Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers, clients and or customers?
I did not self-disclose during the job hiring process, but I wish I would’ve. Disclosing stuttering makes you and your counterpart feel more comfortable and more often than not, makes for easier communication. I disclose my stuttering to colleagues now when the time feels right. I never force disclosing my stutter.

Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work.
I think I’m a better communicator and listener because of my stutter. I listen to others and in general I’m more patient.

What is your proudest moment at your current company?
My proudest moment at my current company was finalizing a major project. My first project onboard 3 long years ago (feels much shorter) was to create automated email frameworks to onboard each category of our customers: subscription, eBook, and single issue. This project was very technical and also creative in nature. Accomplishing this and being able to share both positive engagement and revenue results signified the value I could bring to my superiors.

What are your long-term career aspirations?
My long-term career aspiration is to take all of the experience that I’ve built working in marketing in various industries (client-side, media, technology and publishing) and start my own application/company (still brainstorming ideas). I’d love to be my own boss one day and also build a company culture of acceptance across the board.

What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success?
Always be yourself. Don’t let your stutter define you. Join the NSA local chapter meetings and take advantage of their online resources. I interviewed for over 70 companies when I first graduated college in 2014. The process was rigorous and frustrating. Once I joined the NSA local chapter in midtown Manhattan, I felt immediately at home. To be so comfortable and open about my stutter with fellow stutterers is a gift that continues to enhance my life. You can get job interview tips and build both personal and professional relationships by joining the NSA community.