Jessica Zayas is currently a Manager at Deloitte where she works with Federal clients to solve complex, large-scale challenges by focusing on organizational change, project management, and business process transformation. She holds an M.A. in Security Policy Studies and a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. During her studies, Jessica interned at the Department of State, the National Defense University, and two think tanks; Jessica also volunteered at The White House in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. In support of her minor in Arabic, Jessica studied abroad for a semester in Jordan where she lived with a host family and had the opportunity to travel to Dubai, Jerusalem, Turkey, and Egypt. Jessica was also a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, Professional Foreign Service Sorority while at GW.

Describe your current position and what made you interested in applying?

I am currently a Manager at Deloitte aligned to the Government and Public Services sector specializing in Strategy and Analytics. I have been at Deloitte for nearly 4 years – what made me interested in applying was the intrigue of engaging in different projects while employed by one company. I have worked at other consulting firms over the last ~10 years and feel like I’ve grown the most in my time so far at Deloitte.

What do you wish other people knew about your organization?

Deloitte is a very large organization, while that can be daunting to navigate, there is no shortage of opportunity to seek out what you’re interested in pursuing. We say you can “choose your own adventure” and I believe that to be true given how important networking is to finding your next project opportunity.

What Elliott School courses would you recommend for students interested in your field and why?

As someone focused in Strategy, I believe my policy courses helped me learn how to think about the big picture while also keeping in mind the building blocks/path to achieve the intended objective. Looking back on my coursework, I’d recommend the following courses: Formal Briefing, Alternative Analysis (Red Team), Strategy and Policy, and Intelligence for Business. The skills taught in these courses are applicable no matter the subject matter or region one may be working in.

What was your experience with the job search post-graduation? Can you provide any wisdom for students starting their job search?

Post-graduation, I landed my first job through a referral from someone I interned with while in grad school. Every job I’ve had since then was also via a referral. My advice would be to stay connected with your peers and don’t hesitate to reach out for an informational interview or ask for a referral. They are likely to give you a realistic take on what it’s like to work at that company and odds are they may also benefit from it (e.g. referral bonus)!

What was the most rewarding aspect of your time at the Elliott School?

The most rewarding aspect was having the opportunity to learn from esteemed professors who applied what they learned in their careers to the classroom. After graduation, I went on to work as a research assistant to one of my most impactful professors and it was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tell us about your pet!

I have a 3-year-old Bichon Poodle named Mia. She has quite the personality and loves to play with her toys more than any other dog that I know. She may be small (weighing in at only 12 lbs), but she has a gigantic heart and expresses her love through her eyes.