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Suddenly Downey found herself on the grounds of the USAFA, one of the country\u2019s most prestigious military academies, located about eight miles north of Colorado Springs. Here, her mettle was tested, physically and mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn high school, I competed in track and cross country. Jack Tinsley, my coach, knew how to push us to our limits. I was in good shape. For me, there weren\u2019t any surprises regarding the physical stress at the Academy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To maintain her mental wellbeing, she spent as much time outside as possible, a habit she continues to prioritize today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy favorite things to do are ride my horses, roping and fishing,\u201d she said. Downey would go on to compete in barrel racing with the rodeo team at the USAFA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She made the most of her time at the Academy, connecting with fellow cadets and officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe most valuable lesson I learned at the Academy was how important networking is, how important it is to invest in and care for those around you,\u201d Downey said. \u201cIt is a big part of the reason I have my current job, which I love. I keep in touch with graduates and other service members around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She would graduate from USAFA in 2014 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Management. Her degree was presented to her by then Vice President Joe Biden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following graduation, she was commissioned into the Air Force as an Acquisition Officer. She was charged with the procurement and sustainment of aircraft, including the KC-135 and the B-1, while stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. While stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, she oversaw Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) airborne sensors programs. She then went on to test, launch and ensure operations of overhead intelligence systems at the National Reconnaissance Office. She also worked with the Army at Joint Task Force-Bravo in Honduras for a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During her time with the Air Force, she received a number of accolades, including the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, Global<\/p>\n\n\n\n
War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award and twice received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also continued her education during this time, receiving an associate degree at SSC in 2016 and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University in 2017. Despite her advanced degree, Downey returned to SSC and recently graduated on May 3 with her second associate degree from the institution. This time in Pre-Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\u201cWorking in space and aerospace with radar and other sensors has made me want to understand more about electrical engineering and radar science. Completing an Electrical Engineering degree has been a dream of mine for some time, but work and other obstacles kept me from pursuing it,\u201d Downey said. \u201cWhen I moved back to this area, I knew SSC would offer an affordable route to brush off my math skills and get to work on Electrical Engineering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although she had not taken a math course in over a decade, she tackled Trigonometry, Calculus III, and Differential Equations in one semester, all while working full time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFortunately, SSC instructors have a lot of experience with adult students, and they are very understanding and flexible,\u201d Downey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked about what advice she would give other working adults looking to pursue higher education, she said there were three things that helped her succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFirst, your employer needs to support your goals and understand the importance of test taking time and minimizing absence from class. Second, get buy-in from your support system early on\u2014your family, friends and co-workers. Third, commitment. You have to be committed to your education goals. You\u2019re not there to do time. You\u2019re there to learn information and skills that will enable you to succeed in your next endeavor,\u201d Downey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her parents, Mike and Mechell Downey have been instrumental in her success. Mike is the Owner of Central Sheet Metal and Mechell serves as the Director of Board Relations and Administrative Operations at Seminole State College. She also serves on the Seminole Planning Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy parents work so hard in everything they do, lend a hand wherever they can and treat people the way they want to be treated,\u201d Downey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downey currently works for Precision ISR as a Senior Program Manager and Manager of Contracts. She is a consultant for Air, Space, and Cyberspace companies, and connects critical commercial technologies with the Department of Defense to ensure mission success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She plans to go on to earn her bachelor\u2019s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She resides in Earlsboro, where she enjoys spending time with her three dogs, Chief, Zzilly and Ginger, and her horse, Check. At 33 years old, she has already accomplished so much, but has no plans to slow down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou never get more time,\u201d Downey said. \u201cYou never know what tomorrow is going to bring. The only time you really have is right now. And if you want to do something, you\u2019ve got to just do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jessica Downey\u2019s career trajectory has not followed a conventional route. When she was about to graduate from Seminole High School in 2009, she did not have a specific career goal in mind. \u201cI knew I wanted to do something challenging and make a difference in the world, but I hadn\u2019t nailed down a path,\u201d Downey … Continue reading Flight Path: A Journey of Service and Scholarship<\/span>