Lindsey Vuolo has seen more of the world – and been seen by more of the world – than most Millennials.

A Playboy centerfold at age 20, she leveraged her notoriety into a tuition-paid undergraduate education and into becoming a disciple of some of the publishing world’s most savvy marketing and communications mavens, including Playboy chairman and chief executive Christie Hefner. 

“Because I have a marketing background and that was what I was studying, not only was I standing there pretty, but I was also taking into consideration what went into the events,” Lindsey told me during a recent phone conversation.

Lindsey is, without a doubt, smarter and more career-oriented than your typical ‘bunny.’ Miss November 2001 – as many people know her, just returned from a year spent in Greece, where she obtained a Master’s degree in public relations and communications.  Now 26 years old, she is interviewing for jobs in the field.

Cathy:  If you could push a magic button and have your dream entry job in your career field, what would it look and feel like?

Lindsey:  It would be in the realm of marketing and promotion – such as special events and public relations.  I’d like to work in New York City with a company in the area of entertainment or beauty and fashion.

Cathy:  What do you think were some of the more valuable professional lessons you gathered from your experience with Playboy?

Lindsey:  My goodness, that list is long. Being that I was a Playmate, I got to know the world of television on camera; radio interviewing, a ton of that; news reporting.  We had interviews all the time with the press, some good and some bad.

There were a lot of experiences I couldn’t get from the classroom.  The classroom teaches me the books and the basics, but being able to actually be there was something that the university couldn't give me.  Not even on the Master’s level, they couldn’t give that to me.

Cathy:  On a professional basis, who do you admire?

Lindsey:  Christie Hefner, a lot.  It sounds cliché because I worked for her, but I just think that she is amazing.  She’s really smart, she’s well spoken and I think it is great that she is a strong female while running a men's magazine in a man's world.

Cathy:  Your mom is also a career woman.  As a Millennial, do you see the professional world differently than she does?

Lindsey:  We think differently in the sense that my mom is comfortable in her job and she has been at that career for awhile.  I think it would be harder for her to adapt to a job change.  As far as being successful, she’s really shown me the path that if I want to have kids and a family, you can do that and be successful in your career.

Cathy:  How important is the amount of money that you earn to you?

Lindsey:  It’s not terribly important.  It definitely helps, but I’d rather be happy and really enjoy my job than make a lot of money.  I look at lots of people who have a lot of money and they are miserable, so happiness is the key to anything.

I’d much rather be happy and not have a new Fendi purse than be miserable and have a million of them.  I don’t think that makes someone happy.  Good friends, healthy family, those are things that are genuinely important to me.

About Lindsey Vuolo:
DOB:  October 19, 1981
Undergraduate:  Indiana University – Marketing and Communications
Siblings:  Two brothers, aged 18 and 19
Currently Living:  With Mom