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Jessa Thomas

Jessa Thomas

Capital One

Career Roadmap

Jessa's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Education, and Problem Solving

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Day In The Life

Community Affairs Associate

I manage our NE Associate Volunteer Program - connecting associate skills and nonprofit needs.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    Lakeview Centennial

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Business Administration and Management, General

    The University of Texas at Dallas

  • Graduate Degree

    Public Administration

    The University of Texas at Dallas

  • Certification

    Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

    Southern Methodist University

  • Certification

    Printmaking

    New York University

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Social and Community Service Managers:

High School

Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration and Management, General

Graduate Degree: Public Administration

Certification: Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

Certification: Printmaking

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Accepting internships.

  • 2.

    Furthering my education to stay competitive.

  • 3.

    Being open to new, different and challenging positions (flexible).

  • 4.

    Being clear about what I was looking for in a career.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    Corporate philanthropy jobs are too difficult to find... you should just do something else. The nonprofit sector doesn't pay enough... why would you go that route after all your education?

  • How I responded:

    I wrote my goals and dreams down on paper. I compared them to every decision and step I took... I never gave up and did not settle.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • Due to lack of child support, home issues and moderate income, paying bills became a struggle.. filled with debt. In High School I joined the early release work program to work and save for college. Best thing I ever did!

  • I grew up in a home filled with domestic violence... my escape was to put my energy and focus on school and to strive for a better life with options. While I could not change my situation at the time, I knew my future was in my control.

  • Having a parent in and out of the prison system teaches you the harsh reality that no person is perfect. While this can sprout frustration, hurt and anger, I've learned to use empathy in all situations.

  • Having a parent addicted to drugs/alcohol teaches you life skills that you will see appear over and over again in your life! Through every obstacle, life lessons are learned. It's up to you to use those learnings to help others.

  • Neither of my parents attended college. I utilized school resources and research to the best of my ability. Always ask for help, resources are available - it's just a matter of finding them.