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Daria, Associate Director, Contracts at Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense Company: Advize Career Interview
A career in aerospace and defense contracts offers tangible results and the chance to work with brilliant minds on impactful projects, contributing to global safety.
A path into this field can begin with a business degree, augmented by legal studies, and further enhanced by co-ops and career fairs.
Success hinges on strong financial acumen, communication skills, and the ability to simplify complex issues.
Associate Director Daria's journey highlights the importance of proactive career development, networking, and mastering the interview process.
This challenging but rewarding role prioritizes problem-solving, relationship building, and navigating complex stakeholder interests, ultimately contributing to the development of cutting-edge defense systems.
Entry-level candidates should consider leadership development programs, recognizing that practical experience and on-the-job learning are paramount.
The field values diligent, smart, and risk-averse individuals, offering high job security but demanding a management-oriented path for advancement.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Daria Sayan
Associate Director, Contracts
Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense Company
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Arizona, MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Legal & Policy, Business Management & Admin
Aerospace & Defense
Operations and Project Management
International Student, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of an Associate Director of Contracts at a Fortune 500 Aerospace and Defense Company
Daria's career path began with an early interest in process improvement, leading to a business degree at UMass Amherst, which she augmented with legal studies after a successful battle with the university over financial aid. A pivotal experience was a co-op at GE Capital, followed by securing a position at current company through a career fair, driven by a strong "personality wise" fit, showcasing a proactive approach to career development and a knack for identifying opportunities.
Main Responsibilities Of An Associate Director Contracts At A Fortune 500 Aerospace And Defense Company
Daria, an Associate Director, Contracts at a Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense Company, leads a team negotiating contracts for "some of the most advanced defense systems in the world." This involves assisting Daria's team in solving "their most challenging problems," showcasing a leadership role focused on high-stakes negotiations and complex problem-solving within a significant industry.
A Day In The Life Of An Associate Director Contracts In Aerospace And Defense
A typical day for Daria, an Associate Director of Contracts, involves tackling "really hard problems," acting as a mentor and sounding board for employees, and building strong customer relationships to ensure commitments are met and issues are resolved effectively. This high-level role focuses on problem-solving and relationship management to enable success for both the team and the clients.
Skills for Associate Director Contracts at a Fortune 500 Aerospace Defense Company
Daria, an Associate Director, Contracts at a Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense Company, emphasizes that while "you have to be smart" and a "good communicator," success in this field hinges on "strong financial acumen" combined with the ability to "boil down complicated issues into simple terms"—skills learned more on the job than in formal education.
Favorite Parts of Being an Associate Director of Contracts at an Aerospace and Defense Company
Daria, Associate Director, Contracts, finds the most rewarding aspects of her role are "tangible results," such as successfully negotiating complex deals and mediating customer disputes to achieve win-win outcomes. This contributes to the larger mission of developing and selling defense systems "to make the world a safer place."
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Associate Director Contracts at a Fortune 500 Aerospace and Defense Company
Daria's biggest challenge as Associate Director, Contracts, is balancing "conflicting interests" of internal stakeholders; the need to build consensus among experienced, strong-willed managers ("a lot of a-type personalities") to achieve optimal contract outcomes hinders efficient decision-making.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Aerospace And Defense As An Associate Director Contracts
Daria, an Associate Director at a Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense company, finds the most rewarding aspect of her career is collaborating with "some of the most brilliant people in the world" on products that "help protect those and protect us." The knowledge that their work contributes to making "the world a safer place," particularly exemplified by the Stinger missile, provides immense meaning and motivates the extra effort required on such impactful projects.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Aerospace And Defense Industry, According To An Associate Director Of Contracts At A Fortune 500 Company
Daria, an Associate Director of Contracts at a Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense company, highlights the industry's preference for "really diligent, very smart, and surprisingly risk-averse" individuals who prioritize thoroughness and specialized expertise, emphasizing a focus on controlled growth and mitigating potential risks in the production of mission-critical products.
What an Associate Director Contracts at an Aerospace and Defense Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Contracts Industry
Daria, an Associate Director of Contracts, learned that career progression in aerospace and defense often necessitates management roles, a shift that required her to relinquish some of the "negotiating and getting things done" she enjoyed. The industry's high job security, while advantageous, presents challenges in promoting high performers due to seniority's significant influence on advancement.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Contracts Professionals
Daria, an Associate Director of Contracts, recommends that undergraduate students seeking entry-level positions in this field target "leadership development programs," as "you can't get a degree in contracts" and must learn on the job; such programs offer a superior alternative to standard entry-level roles.
Significant Career Lesson From An Associate Director Of Contracts At A Fortune 500 Aerospace And Defense Company
Daria, an Associate Director at a Fortune 500 company, emphasizes the critical role of networking in career advancement, stating that "who you know is the most important thing." This insight highlights that while strong performance is vital, effective networking and identifying key decision-makers are equally, if not more, crucial for rapid career progression in corporate environments.
College Experiences That Helped A Contracts Associate Director At An Aerospace And Defense Company Succeed
Daria, an Associate Director at a Fortune 500 company, emphasizes three key college success strategies: creating a concise, impactful one-page resume to stand out amongst many applicants ("hiring manager getting a million college grad resumes"), prioritizing interview experience over GPA ("it really doesn't matter"), and conducting numerous real interviews starting early in their undergraduate career to master the process.
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