Kayleigh Zigler joined Millennium Partners last summer as an Associate, quickly following her graduation from the University of Virginia. Having worked as intern for Millennium, Kayleigh was no stranger to its work and USAID-funded projects. A year has since passed, and she reflects on her role, what she has learned, and what inspired her to pursue a career in international development.
You graduated from the University of Virginia last May with a bachelor’s in Global Studies, concentrating in Security and Justice. Prior to graduating, you were working as an intern for Millennium Partners. What motivated you to continue with the company?
I value the opportunity to work for a USAID Small Business Contractor. It affords me the ability to work on tasks across the program delivery stages and I now have an understanding of how development work is conducted across all stages—from forecasts to project management.
As I approached graduation, Brian Hannon, CEO of Millennium Partners, informed me of some compelling proposals the company was pursuing that summer, which piqued my interest and encouraged me to stay on board.
Shortly after graduation, I worked on a global anti-corruption activity proposal, which was subsequently awarded to Millennium Partners in the fall. Now, through the USAID GAP/SNA Activity, I have had the opportunity to support the Activity’s program design, communications, and project management from its inception.
Could you describe your current role and what a typical day entails for you? Any highlights from the past year?
One of the great parts of working in international development is that no two days look the same. It’s a career that necessitates adaptability and flexibility – things can move fast.
On a typical day, I work with our team on the Millennium Partners implemented USAID Global Accountability Program/Strengthening National Architectures to Counter Corruption (GAP/SNA) Activity on a variety of tasks such as preparing communications for conferences like the UN Conference of State Parties that I was able to attend this past November in Atlanta and the upcoming International Anti-Corruption Corruption in Vilnius; assisting in the recruitment and onboarding of the Activity’s staff; and organizing communication with the Activity’s consortium.
A key focus of my day-to-day involves managing our home office communications. I develop and post social media content and news articles to highlight Millennium Partners’ overseas projects and company news. Recently, I drafted a piece for our website titled “Recapping 2023 with Millennium Partners” to highlight Millennium’s 2023 achievements.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I have always been interested in different country contexts and pursuing a career that can improve the lives of others worldwide. Growing up abroad, I knew I wanted a profession with a global reach that would let me continue exploring and learning. International development offers opportunities to work on projects across the world in various sectors, meet new people, and contribute to long-term solutions.
What advice would you give to a UVA graduate (or any colleage grad for that matter), interested in pursuing a career in international development?
I recommend being open to a variety of roles. Even if your future interest lies in working on program implementation, don’t hesitate to explore opportunities in business development or operations. These positions often complement each other and it’s beneficial to have insights into proposal writing when working on program implementation and vice versa.
Apart from work, what are your hobbies or interests?
I love traveling and checking out new places. Living in the DC area, there is lots to explore and am trying to work my way through the district’s Michelin Guide. I am a novice runner and recently ran the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC.