Sean Beach Class of 2021

Interview by Aneara Burns. Photo by Flonora Merritt.

Friendship News Network has been producing promising young writers, video editors, and reporters for 18 years, always encouraging students to explore journalism. I had a chance to talk to the former Tech Prep editor-in-chief, Sean Beach, about his time at Tech Prep, his current college experiences, and his future career aspirations.

Aneara: What college do you attend and what is your major?

Sean: Alabama A&M University and I'm majoring in English with a minor in Secondary Education. 

Aneara: Are there any struggles that college brought for you?

Sean: One of the main struggles is going through the pandemic and not being able to really get to know people.

Aneara:   What are your plans for your career and future?

Sean: Right now I'm working on becoming an English teacher for either middle or high school. And honestly, I want to work on being a principal. I also want to do something outside of that, like have my own business within event planning services.

Aneara: What is one lesson that Tech Prep taught you for life after high school? 

Sean: I would say Tech Prep has taught me to be able to be open-minded and really explore new adventures.

Aneara: What advice would you give to current students at Tech Prep?

Sean: Some advice that I would give to current students at Tech Prep would be, just continue to try your best, go through adversity, and continue to have a clear and open mind and really make the best of all opportunities you have.

Aneara: Were you in any extracurricular activities at Tech Prep, and did they shape you in any way?

Sean: One of the most prominent activities that I participated in was FNN. While I was at Tech Prep, I was the editor in chief and then I was the admin assistant under Miss Kaufman. So I would definitely say it really developed my writing skills and inspired me to really want to go into English as a major, and then take it on to education and teach our next generation of students.

Aneara: Do you have any last inspirational words for our readers or anybody out there?

Sean: I would say just continue to stay motivated, stay positive, and continue to really just shine as bright as you can.

Aneara Burns is an intern at Friendship Collegiate Academy.