BeAna Stone is a UGA graduate, working as a program coordinator in Atlanta. As BeAna navigates the real world, she continuously tries to live her life with an open mind, and tries her hardest to say 'yes' to opportunities that come her way.
1. What's your story? What makes you unique?
I'm a daughter, a sister, a lover of spoken word poetry, an avid reader, a mouth open-head back laugher, an HGTV fanatic, a Netflix binge watcher, an excessive garlic eating gal who has big hair and preferably a bold lip color on at all times.
2. What motivates you?
Money, giving those without a voice a platform to be heard, the desire to one day provide for my parents and the fear of regret.
3. Who is a hero of yours?
Women in general. We are powerful, we can create life, we're beautiful and are beyond resilient. It's really overwhelming thinking about all the things we could accomplish if we ban together.
4. Give us a road map of your career. How did you get to where you are today?
I worked for UGA's advising offices my senior year, and accepted a full time job with them right after graduation. Last April, I started working at a small pharmaceutical event planning company. I've found that working for a small company can be a great way to test out your interests. I've been able to work across a few different departments, which has definitely help me decide what part of a company I fit best in. I also have fantastic co-workers which makes dreaded Monday mornings a lot better.
5. What's your future plan? Your goals?
More than anything else, I want to travel. I want to pack a bag and peace out for a few months climbing mountains, eating my way through different cities and just take in other cultures. I have the least amount of responsibilities I'll ever have right now, and I need to take advantage of that ASAP. Career wise I'm still trying to figure out what my next step will be and I'm ok with that. There's a beauty in finding what I want my next adventure to be, at times overwhelming but still beautiful.
6. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
To not be so hard on yourself when things aren't working out as planned. Shakespeare said that “Expectations are the root of all heartache,” and I never found that to be more true than in the few years after graduation. I’m slowing realizing that nobody really has it together (despite what their Instagram looks like), we're all just figuring it out day by day, and there's something reassuring about that.
7. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?
Mental health is something I feel like needs to be more openly talked about and addressed. There's not a negative stigma to seeking medical attention for a cold or injury, and the same should go for depression or anxiety.
8. What's one of the coolest things you've ever done?
The first thing that comes to mind is when my dad and I drove through all of New England just to find the best cup of clam chowder. It started as a joke, but ended up being a day full of driving through beautiful scenery and bonding with my dad. Can't get much better than being well fed with great company.
