MaKailee George
What makes you feel proud?
I get really proud of myself when I accomplish a goal that someone doubted about me and that I was able to prove them wrong. In the professional world, I’ve had people look at me differently just by the way that I look, and I love when I prove them wrong on their personal biases that they may or may not realize.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
My biggest obstacle has been overcoming racism, ageism and sexism in professional settings. With it being my biggest obstacle, it has taught me so much about myself and how to have tough conversations with people even when it’s uncomfortable. When these moments happen, I take it as a way for me to grow and also to push others to grow as well. It’s okay to not know something or be unsure, but once you are aware, you can not remain in your ignorance.
What keeps you up at night?
What keeps me up at night is wondering if I’ve done enough to make an actual difference in the lives of the people around me, who I know have been placed in my life for a reason. One year from today, how do you hope you’re different? I hope that a year from today, I look back and have no regrets. I hope I have loved people well and have laughed a lot. I hope that I’ve made so many great memories with my friends and family that we will be talking about in the years to come.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Always ask yourself, “What did you learn?” Someone told me when you go through something challenging, you must ask yourself what you learned afterward because if you don’t reflect, you are bound to make the same mistakes. You must grow from where you’ve been.