Anna Fuhrer is a digital research analyst at Turner Broadcasting based out of Atlanta. She is our #WCW because she is always working towards her career goals and seeking strength from her family to achieve those goals.
1. What's your story? What makes you unique?
I was born, raised and educated in Florida. I have never been out of the country and have not done much traveling, however, I had the opportunity to experience another culture right inside my home. My stepmother and step siblings are from South Africa. My stepmother married my father when I was about 13 years old. Ever since, I have been learning new things every single day about her culture and the beautiful country that she is from. It has shaped my life in ways that I never could have imagined.
2. What motivates you?
Someone recently told me that even if I don’t accomplish everything that I want to in one day, as long as I was better than I was yesterday, that is an accomplishment in itself. I always make it my goal to be a better person than I was yesterday, whether it be personally or professionally, and that motivates me to push through the good and the bad as I go throughout my day.
3. Who is a hero of yours?
My hero is my mother, without a doubt. My grandmother passed away at the beginning of July, and seeing how my mom has handled the situation with such strength and grace has left me in complete awe of her. She has truly helped our entire family cope with this loss and It would be an honor to become even half of the woman that she is today.
4. Give us a road map of your career. How did you get to where you are today?
The summer before my senior year of undergrad, I interned with Turner Broadcasting in their corporate research department. I loved every minute of it, and knew I wanted to be living in Atlanta and working for Turner upon graduating. Four years later, I am now working for Turner as a digital research analyst with the entertainment research department and have been for the past three years.
5. What's your future plan? Your goals?
I just started a master’s degree program through the University of Florida (GO GATORS!). I have always wanted to go to continue my education, and this program focused on audience analytics is right in line with my career choice. I don’t have much of a plan as of right, but I am very excited to see what door this degree will open for me.
6. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! You must take every opportunity out there to make a connection and always put your best foot forward, especially on social media. I would not be where I am today if I had not taken every opportunity possible to expand my social network and made it a point to open channels of communication, even if I did not see an immediate job prospect. It never hurts to have people on your side.
7. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?
There’s a quote by C.S. Lewis that I feel strongly that every young professional should keep in their back pocket - “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” When you are starting the “post-grad” stage of your life, you are going to hit some bumps in the road, both personally and professionally. Always keep in mind that situations will come and go, but there is always a new adventure around the corner.