Beth Jannery Finds Her Simple Grace at George Mason University

By Alan Ince

How would you define success? George Mason University adjunct professor, Beth Jannery, would say that it is, “Doing what you love and getting paid for your passion.” Beth is a former journalist and editor, book writer, animal lover, humanitarian, and mother of two who feels like the most successful person in the world.

Beth started off in journalism at the age of 20 with a hands-on internship at CNN’s Investigative Unit. She thought she was be your everyday intern running errands, but their spin on getting experience was a little different from what she expected. Beth said that from day one, they told her, “You are a reporter.” So she went right into the field of reporting as a 20 year old intern. She loved the energy, and that propelled her to pursue a graduate degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University.

Directly after graduate school, she went to Bangkok Thailand, where she was a journalist. Among her experiences in Thailand, she was able to interview hill tribes, and her experiences helped her become fearless in the field. “Looking back, I can’t believe how fearless I was and probably couldn’t do it now. I got to tell stories that would have never been told.”

Now at the age of 39, Beth’s resume’ is rather impressive. She has taught at Harvard University, Marist College, American University, and now George Mason University who was ranked the Number One College to Watch by U.S. News “America’s Best Colleges 2009″.

For a time she was working as a reporter/editor for the Pentagon. She was married at the time. Her ex-husband was attending Harvard’s Business School. She then landed a job in communication at the John F. Kennedy School at Harvard. That required a move back to Massachusetts from the D.C. area. She then landed another job covering the military for The Journal of Electronic Defense, where she had to interview high ranking military personnel. She then realized that she really cared for working with people. She no longer wanted a 9-5 job. “It drove me crazy,” said Beth. She chose to move from hard journalism. That lead to book writing and motivational speaking. She wanted to know what she could do to give back.

Beth’s father was a professor in music, and she thinks that may have somehow made an influence on her decision to teach. “I enjoy interacting with people who are excited and passionate about their careers. I wanted to come to work at Mason because it was ranked the number one school to watch. As an adjunct at GMU, I couldn’t ask for more. Being surrounded by the caliber of professors at Mason, It’s unbelievable and I love it! The professors at George Mason are not your old, retired professors who just teach, these people are extremely educated, still in the field, and have more to offer than you could ever imagine. Mason is like a living reference book. All the professors along with the students are still eager to learn, and the professors are proud to teach.” Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by a living, never ending reference book?

Beth took a stab at her first book, written in her 20’s, called Shut The Hell Up. George Magazine quoted it as, “The Oddest Self-Help Book of the Year.” The title definitely get’s your attention, but it is literally 101 reasons to appreciate life. Beth spends a decent amount of time continuing her series of books called Simple Grace.

Simple Grace is a sojourn to simplicity using your own compass to map out and discover the truth about who you are. Stop worrying about what might happen tomorrow and start relishing in what today reveals. She is now working on the fourth book in her Simple Grace series called Simple Miracles.

She finds inspiration in several facets of life, and in her book Simple Grace: Daily Joys, you will find her quoting Nelson Mandela several times. She also finds inspiration from her two daughters, Skye and Tess. “My daughters make me stop and be fully present. When I’m writing I tend to get in my zone and isolate myself. I never question a higher power, they are my two angels. They look at the world in such a fresh perspective. They don’t give up hope, which is another reason I enjoy teaching because you are all so hopeful and not jaded,” says Beth.

Beth has made the transition from hard journalism to educating and finding small wonders and daily joys.
Beth Jannery’s books are readily accessible on her website www.BethJannery.com and www.amazon.com. Expect Simple Miracles this fall 2010.