Jaiyleana Perr finds fulfillment in being a mentor
By: Jean Anderson
Jaiyleana Perr, a project management intern at the United States Department of Defense (DOD) and UAH Professional MBA student, has found fulfillment in mentoring interns and pursuing a career in management, all while balancing academic success and personal sacrifices.
When Perr felt trapped in a box studying civil engineering, she began searching for a career path that gave her more fulfillment and motivation. She learned quickly through her work with the DOD that she enjoyed overseeing many processes instead of having a hand in just one.
As a project management intern for the DOD, Perr works with six other Systems Management and Production Center (SMAP) students from UAH reporting to her.
“I’m really invested in their progress,” she says. “They got their foot in the door through my project. It feels like my investment in them is flourishing and it makes me happy. It makes me feel fulfilled.”
Perr has a clear vision for her career in managing operations and working with others to achieve their professional goals. When she initially chose a major, however, she wanted to be a doctor. “I want to make an impact. I want to do things that affect people in a positive way.”
Over time she’s shifted to management, but her core values and human-centric mindset remain the same.
“I like to fill people’s cups, kind of teach them and help them grow individually.”
Because of her time at UAH, Perr is considering becoming a business consultant on the side in the future. Thanks to her professors and business courses, she has realized she is capable of using analytics to optimize business operations.
After a positive experience at the recent UAH Career Fair, Perr says she realized her potential in the workplace: “I have a lot of options… it could be a new journey.”
Juggling all these responsibilities while maintaining a 4.0 GPA meant sacrificing some of her personal interests. Perr says she maintains a mindset of taking on the responsibilities and difficulties now to see the benefits in the future. She plans on picking some of her hobbies back up after graduating in May 2025. For now, she’s devoted to school and work.