Hey all! I realize I've been MIA from my blog here but I returned to work at Deloitte shortly after the Miss CT pageant and it has taken up a majority of my time. Deloitte was so supportive throughout my quest for the crown and I'm thankful to be apart of a company that encourages women to further their goals outside of the workplace. Below is an article they wrote about me on Deloittenet, our company intranet. Enjoy!! Hope all is well! :)
Pretty smart
Marie-Lynn Piscitelli understands the intricacies of tax regulations, is good at problem solving, and can manage the ambiguity of Federal tax compliance.
She can also tell you the ins and outs of the beauty pageant circuit.
First runner up in the 2009 Miss Connecticut pageant and reigning queen in the 2009 Miss Shoreline pageant, Marie-Lynn achieves work-life balance in a fun and unusual way.
Marie-Lynn Piscitelli understands the intricacies of tax regulations, is good at problem solving, and can manage the ambiguity of Federal tax compliance.
She can also tell you the ins and outs of the beauty pageant circuit.
First runner up in the 2009 Miss Connecticut pageant and reigning queen in the 2009 Miss Shoreline pageant, Marie-Lynn achieves work-life balance in a fun and unusual way.
Early beginnings
“When I was little, I would watch the pageants on television and wish I could be one of those girls when I was older,” said Marie-Lynn. So at age 15, Marie-Lynn answered an ad for Miss Teen USA and was on her way to making her childhood dream a reality. “I won Miss Connecticut Teen USA on my first try [in 2001], and became hooked,” going right on to compete in the nationally televised Miss Teen USA pageant.
She took a break from pageants for a few years to focus on college and her career. “I wanted my career and academics to be well underway before I started competing again.” As a sophomore at University of Connecticut, Marie-Lynn participated in the Deloitte National Leadership Conference and then interned here in the spring of 2006. While she applied to and was accepted by all of the big four accounting firms, she chose Deloitte. “I felt really comfortable at Deloitte. I liked the culture, the people, the flexibility, and the work/life balance opportunities for men and women.”
With her career on track, Marie-Lynn decided to return to the pageants and compete in the Miss Connecticut USA pageant system. Success followed her there, and she was named fourth runner up in 2007, first runner up in 2008, and fourth runner up in 2009, all while working full time and pursuing her Masters in Taxation at Bentley University.
With undergraduate and graduate loans to repay, the appeal of winning a scholarship lured her to compete in the Miss America pageant, the largest provider of women scholarships. In March 2009, she won the title of Miss Shoreline and the chance to participate in the Miss Connecticut pageant, a preliminary to the nationally televised Miss America pageant.
Balancing act
Many people don't understand the great benefits of pageants, so I didn't know how it would be received... The partners were so supportive.
Marie-Lynn PiscitelliWhile a hectic lifestyle was nothing new for Marie-Lynn, who was used to working long days and weekends, she began “to feel overwhelmed. Not only was I working full time, but I was also in the final semester of my masters,” said Marie-Lynn, who up until this point had been preparing for the Miss Connecticut pageant on the weekends. ”I age out of the Miss America system next year, so this was my one and only shot at winning Miss America, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I knew if didn’t give it my all, I would regret it.”
But Marie-Lynn didn’t want to leave her career at Deloitte either, so she decided to ask for a leave of absence. “I was nervous that Deloitte wasn’t going to be responsive and accommodating, especially in this economy.” And she was hesitant at first about telling others about her life as a pageant contestant. “Many people don’t understand the great benefits of pageants, so I didn’t know how it would be received. I was scared what the partners would say.”
She broached it first with Talent, who suggested she speak with her partners. “The partners were so supportive.” As the request moved up the chain of command, “they were more and more responsive.” In just a couple of days, the partners said she was good to go for a two-month leave of absence. Her colleagues were equally supportive, often following her blog and watching the competition.
With the support of family, friends, and colleagues, Marie-Lynn finished in the top five, as the first runner up to Miss Connecticut!
More than a pretty face
When I tell people I'm an accountant and also a pageant contestant, they're surprised. But contestants are very driven, motivated, and have high goals.
Marie-Lynn PiscitelliAlthough beautiful and a pro at donning a sash and crown, Marie-Lynn just doesn’t fit the stereotype of a pageant contestant – a stereotype she is determined to dispel.
"People think it’s about a pretty face, or great body, or great dress, but it’s more than that,” said Marie-Lynn. “When I tell people I’m an accountant and also a pageant contestant, they’re surprised. But contestants are very driven, motivated, and have high goals.”
Although it looks glamorous, Marie-Lynn says there’s also a lot of hard work that goes into preparing for the pageant. During the Miss Connecticut pageant, she had 7 days of rehearsals, two days of preliminary competitions, and then the final night of competition where Miss Connecticut 2009 would be crowned.
A key component of the pageant competition is community service. For her community service platform, Marie-Lynn promoted health and fitness in youth.
She has visited school systems across the state and spoken to kids about health and fitness, striving to serve as a role model. On one occasion, she partnered with Aetna to run an obstacle course for kids at high risk of obesity. “I encourage the kids to be fit and lead a healthy lifestyle. When they see you with a crown and sash on, it really makes an impact – especially on little girls.”
No price tag on experience
Marie-Lynn says the experience has helped her achieve success in the business world by building her confidence, teaching her to set – and achieve – goals, and training her in how to speak and interview well.
“It’s also opened so many doors for me, and I’m very excited to be as successful in pageants as I have – you can’t put a price tag on the experience. I feel fortunate to have met so many wonderful people and organizations, and I know I will continue to use the alliances I’ve made. I’ve also had many opportunities to make a difference. It falls right in line with our WIN and community involvement programs, and is one of reasons I chose this firm.”
Great things to come
Marie-Lynn is back from her leave of absence and right in the swing of things. With the competitions behind her, “life is less intense now pageant-wise, but finishing up tax busy season.” And with her newly minted MST in one hand and her Miss Shoreline crown in the other, she’s ready for the next adventure. “I know there are other great things in store for me.”
We do, too!
