Name: Mark Nagel
Job Title: Director of Premium and Entertainment Services, Cingular Wireless
College Attended: Truman State University (Kirksville, MO)

Telecommunications
Laptops, cell phones, and iPods, oh my! In this technological revolution, career paths are a plenty with perks to match. Take it from Mark Nagel, who enjoys discounted cell phone service by working in the midst of cutting-edge cool.

"I'm passionate about my job," notes Nagel, who is responsible for Cingular's entertainment services -- that means he deals with those cool downloadable games, ringtones, and other content for your cell phone. In fact, his team designs future products and then works with other development and handset teams to bring those products to life.

Dial-Up Communication Skills
As a student at Truman State, Mark studied communications which included public speaking, journalism, creative writing, and languages, topics he says he applies every day on the job. "My undergraduate experience exposed me to new thought processes," he says. "It helped form the discipline and attention to detail critical to succeeding."

Nagel strongly suggests getting an internship to serve as an introduction to the field. "The ability to communicate well and build relationships with people working around you will be critical to your success," he notes. "Find mentors and make contacts to help you learn everything you can."

Live Wirelessly
The ever-changing wireless industry intersects video, music, e-mail imaging, and wireless phones, crossing paths with anyone from media companies to hardware manufacturers. There are countless career opportunities within these areas, from creating the hardware to marketing products. Nagel's advice?

"It's important to make yourself an expert in anything you do," he explains. "This is especially true in a field where all the answers aren't yet known. Go the extra mile to solve a problem." For Nagel, working hard has taught him one main lesson. "Your career is a marathon and not a sprint. Good people doing good jobs tend to get recognized."

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