Alumni Profile: Sean Jazayeri of Avanade

Sean Jazayeri

Today: Based in Seattle, Washington, Sean is the Chief Information Officer for Avanade. He has more than 17 years of experience in the IT industry, including five years at Microsoft where he served as the Director of Worldwide Operations. Sean earned both a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine.

What, in a nutshell, did you learn at Booz Allen? I learned how to analyze a problem, solve it, and then explain both the problem and solution to executive management.

Do you feel that Booz Allen served as a foundation for your current position? Absolutely. With every position I have had since Booz Allen, I have been reliant on problem-solving and communication skills. Both were attributes I developed working at the firm.

Would you recommend working at Booz Allen? Without question. You'll learn a lot.

Favorite moment or experience here? After a presentation on IT strategy to the board of a fortune 500 company, the CEO pulled me aside and say "thank you." He thought we had articulated what his gut feel told him they needed to do. That's the heart of management consulting; it was quite a moment.

I'm new to Booz Allen. Any advice for me? Prepare to be surrounded by some of the smartest people you have ever met. Be prepared to work harder than you ever worked before, be challenged more than you ever have been, and learn more than you ever imagined.

profile posted December 2003