Potential Magazine Fall 2015 - Florida Edition | Page 10

what i know now Becca Bonner age: 23 hometown: Eufaula, Alabama education: Troy University, majored in Communication Studies career: Audiovisual Presenter at Camfel Productions Becca Bonner always knew she wanted to grow up to be a strong and independent woman, but she never had any long-term career goals. Thanks to parents who encouraged her to study hard and find her own path, she ended up right where she believes she was meant to be, conducting anti-bullying presentations at elementary schools around the country for a company called Camfel Productions based in Los Angeles. The work allows her to explore the country and to use her communication skills to teach students how to respect themselves and properly deal with bullying situations they may encounter. She describes the job as fun and rewarding, and she shared with Potential how she got where she is and what she’s learned along the way. parental influence: Education was always the top priority staying kind with becca bonner at our house. Sports, friends and anything else that had my attention could only be thought about after I finished my homework. As far as my career choices go, my parents never tried to force me into any particular career path, and I am incredibly grateful for that. They were always available for advice and support, but they let me, in fact, they urged me, to make my own choices. secret to success: Balance. In high school, I wanted to make a 100 on every test and be a great athlete and be SGA president. I was so hard on myself, and I would get so stressed out if I couldn’t manage it all. It was my mom that finally told me, “You don’t have to be perfect; I’m more proud of you for being well rounded.” Now, I pride myself on just being well rounded. If something makes me happy, I do it, and I don’t let it stress me out. best advice: “Work smart, not hard,” and “If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.” can’t live without worst advice: “Your career and your passion should be 1. Cell phone 2. Netflix 3. Sweatpants advice for teens: Don’t underestimate yourself. We always ) v separate. Have a job to make money, and then have passions on the side.” tend to imagine the worst before we enter a new situation. You are more flexible than you think. You can adjust to anything; you can and you will be great. advice for parents: Encourage teens to make their own downtime 1. Travel 2. Movies 3. Dinner with friends 10 decisions because decision-making is such a vital skill; however, be there to give them advice when they ask for it. Even though they might act like your opinion doesn’t matter to them, it does. eye opener: There are many others who are also trying to enter the workforce. Competition is brutal. future focus: I see myself settling down in the South and working in communications for an awesome company. www.potentialmagazine.com