Embarking on a successful career journey often requires expert guidance, especially for ambitious UCLA alumni seeking to maximize their potential. Elissa Harris (’00), a seasoned career coach and UCLA Anderson School of Management alumna, offers unparalleled expertise to help you navigate your professional path. With over a decade of experience in consulting and career management, Elissa brings a wealth of knowledge and a practical approach to her coaching practice, ideally positioned to support UCLA alumni wherever they may be located.
Elissa’s dedication to her clients is immediately apparent. She prioritizes building honest and collaborative relationships, creating a strong foundation for identifying and achieving your unique career goals. Her approach is deeply personalized, recognizing that each individual’s journey is distinct and requires tailored strategies.
Her impressive background includes 13 years as a top-rated career advisor in the Wharton MBA Career Management Office. In this role, she guided hundreds of MBA students and alumni across diverse industries and functions, including consulting, consumer products/retail, and healthcare. Elissa’s connection to UCLA Anderson remains strong; she contributes content to the Parker Career Management Center’s Career Series and analyzes survey data to continuously improve career services for current students. This deep understanding of both the Wharton and UCLA Anderson career landscapes makes her uniquely qualified to advise UCLA alumni.
Whether you are a recent graduate navigating your first career steps or an experienced professional aiming for a career transition or advancement, Elissa provides actionable advice, constructive feedback, and consistent accountability. Her coaching encompasses all critical aspects of career development: crafting a targeted job search plan, conducting thorough self-assessment, developing compelling resumes and cover letters, identifying target companies, and mastering networking and interviewing skills. Prior to her impactful role at Wharton, Elissa honed her skills as a Consultant with Lee Hecht Harrison, leading career transition workshops. Her experience also includes consulting at Towers Perrin and brand management at Neutrogena Corporation, providing her with a broad understanding of various industries and business functions. Her career began at the Advisory Board Company in Washington DC, a healthcare research and consulting firm, further broadening her industry perspective.
Elissa’s academic credentials reinforce her expertise. She holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BA with Honors in History from Washington University in St. Louis. During her time at UCLA Anderson, she was a leader within the community, serving as Co-Director of Pre-Term, contributing to A-Days for admitted students, and participating as a student admissions reader. This intimate knowledge of the UCLA Anderson environment, combined with her extensive career coaching experience, makes Elissa Harris an invaluable resource for UCLA alumni seeking to achieve their career aspirations, no matter their location.
