Jesse Mara
- Director of Financial Planning and Analysis
- United Airlines
School Information
School: University of Minnesota
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2012 to 2013
Career Information
Working For: United Airlines
Title: Director of Financial Planning and Analysis
Industry: Aerospace/Aviation
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Supporting $5B annual Airport Operations operating budget. Help business request capital funding for real estate and digital investments with a $1.5B annual Capital budget. Lead a team of 15 analysts and managers. Improving processes to better serve our 7 hubs and 300+ line stations globally.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?Winning Alpha Phi’s Most Outstanding Chapter in the Nation 2012-2014 out of 166 chapters in the US and Canada.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting gave me the confidence to take on challenges outside of my comfort zone, as well as teaching me how to work hard and smart.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
I learned how to manage my time and others expectations.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
College Works Painting gave me the confidence to pursue leadership positions and job opportunities that I thought were out of my realm.
Advice
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
Learning how to sell, manage a team, and be held accountable at a young age is the best thing you can do to catapult your career and develop needed skills. Give everything you have to this opportunity because the more you put in the more you will get out.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Starting out in a corporate environment is very different than an entrepreneurial. You have to push yourself to break out of the cubicle and get involved in extracurricular at work if you want to find success and passion!