As with our previous peer spotlights, this series aims to highlight the accomplishments of everyday colleagues. We are everywhere, and our accomplishments are plentiful. Sometimes inspiration is as simple as shining a light to this fact. Today, let’s meet Frava Burgess.

What is your occupation, full title and work week hours?
How old are you?
If you had to rank the following with regards to importance in your life, how would you (successful career, spiritual clarity, starting your own family, financially well-off)?

Frava Burgess

I am the Midday News Producer at Chicagoland’s Television (CLTV). I work from 5am to 1pm Monday through Friday. It took me more than a year and a half to get off the weekend shift, so I am quite grateful. At 25, I am really just embarking on my career — so to have already paid my dues and been rewarded accordingly, is truly a blessing.

Right now, my career is my primary focus — but the most important aspect of my life is family. You can always find another job, but you cannot find another family. I place loved ones above all successes and financial gains associated with my career — though having some money would be nice in setting up a comfortable life for my future family.

For those who are single: Why do you think it has been difficult for you to take that next big step to marriage? What do you enjoy about being single?

I truly believe in the mantra: “if it’s meant to be, it will be.” I am newly single and learning more and more about myself everyday. A year ago, I never could have imagined myself without my significant other. But dreams change . . . as do people. That’s life. I loved every moment of my four-year relationship, but now it is time for me to grow as “Frava” without the “and”.

I don’t think it will be difficult for me to take a leap into marriage — I have never invested in a relationship with the intention of it ending. But I believe I’m supposed to be single at this moment, on this day, and I just have faith that I will soon have the kind of loving relationship everyone deserves.

What is one piece of advice you constantly rely upon when making tough career decisions?

You have to follow your heart. You have a long time to work, and most people don’t reach the end of their lives and say, “I wish I would have worked more.” Instead, they concentrate on the fulfilling moments — taking the job that gave them more family time, jumping into a career with less stability because they loved the craft, finding more time to travel and become a member of the community.

Never be afraid to push yourself, explore your potential, interview for the seemingly impossible career opportunity. What’s the worse that can happen? They say “no”? Well . . . maybe, just maybe, they’ll say yes.

For those who have been (or currently in) grad school: Why did you choose to go to graduate school?

Attending graduate school is one of the best decisions I have made. For me, there was no question. I wanted to acquire knowledge greater than my own, be part of change in my career, challenge myself to think beyond my immediate surroundings. It wasn’t easy, though. Moving to Chicago on my own, enrolling in a rigorous program and embarking in a new career field was intimidating, downright frightening. But then I remembered, no great leaps in history are made by people who shy away from the unknown.

Want to be interviewed for YBP Peer Spotlight? Simply contact us and we’ll hit you back.