Background and Inspiration

Una Karabeg's journey to her current career is marked by a blend of deliberate choices and serendipitous moments. Growing up in Bugojno, she excelled academically, finishing both primary and secondary school as Valedictorian. Her early love for the spotlight and exploration of the world led her to moderate events as early as preschool. This confidence and passion for public speaking carried over into her teenage years, where she discovered a deep interest in mathematics, physics, and technology, earning numerous awards and recognitions.

Una's passion for making a meaningful impact in her community led her to engage with various local organizations, seminars, and training opportunities. She focused on providing upskilling opportunities for young people, connecting them across Bosnia and Herzegovina, and addressing issues such as educational reforms and improving the status of young people in society. This activism paved the way for her to represent high school students internationally.

Reflecting on her journey, Una says, "One can say that my inspiration to pursue social sciences prevailed over the natural sciences were, in fact, people and my desire to create a meaningful and tangible change throughout my work. Many might disagree, but I find people to be the only equation that could never be answered."

After graduating from Grammar school, Una decided to pursue studies in economics and international business to create societal change through people-oriented initiatives. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Una has sought to create opportunities for societal benefit, whether through non-governmental organizations, university groups, or CSR initiatives in the private sector.

Influence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Futures Foundation

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Futures Foundation (BHFF) played a pivotal role in Una's early career and personal development. Recognizing her interest in management and marketing, BHFF provided numerous opportunities for her to upskill in these areas. A significant experience was attending the Summer School in Utrecht, The Netherlands, where Una led an international team to win a start-up competition. This experience, along with her role as Event Coordinator and Marketing & Branding lead for the first Futures Leaders Summit in 2021, solidified her management and leadership skills.

Una reflects on her time with the BHFF, stating, "I'm very grateful for the numerous opportunities provided, including the opportunity to be one of the scholars attending Summer School in Utrecht, where I led the international team of scholars whose start-up idea won the Summer School competition."

Una credits her two mentors, Azra Dedić and Velida Jahić, for their extensive experience, committed mentorship, and unwavering support, which guided her in shaping her professional identity and leadership style.

Significant Milestones and Achievements

Una's career is highlighted by milestones that extend beyond formal recognitions. Starting work in high school to support her studies, securing scholarships, and finding an internship during her university years reflect her perseverance and dedication. Her current role as a marketing specialist at a reputable company showcases her growth and ability to lead significant projects.

Reflecting on her achievements, Una says, "Sometimes the greatest challenge we face is to fight and find the way to be at the place from which we can grow. Life sometimes finds funny ways to test your perseverance and aspirations in life. Some people fail upon difficulties; I was always one of those with a sheer will to find the way when it seemed there was no way."

One of Una's proudest projects was coordinating an initiative that involved over a thousand high school students across Bosnia and Herzegovina to address educational issues and brain drain. Now, as a Marketing Specialist at Deloitte, she leads initiatives like the Women’s Mentoring Network and Deloitte WorldClass activities, emphasizing the private sector's role in societal impact.

Personal Qualities and Motivation

Una attributes her success to perseverance, adaptability, sheer will, and true passion for her work. She believes that motivation alone is unreliable and that commitment and dedication are crucial, especially when motivation wanes. Her advice to others is to stay focused on their vision, be adaptable, and remain committed even in the face of setbacks.

She shares, "Perseverance, adaptability, sheer will, and true passion for what you do are the key, if you ask me. Motivation as such is not a reliable driver; sometimes we are so motivated that we could move a mountain, and sometimes we grasp for motivation to just finalize our to do list for the day. When we're tired and exhausted, motivation goes out the window, and commitment and dedication need to enter through the front door. What I would really like for readers to understand is that motivation on its own is not enough, all of us need to focus on the vision we have and dedicate the time to persevere in order to endure the days where the motivation oscillates against our favor. That's where the true passion comes - if we truly believe and love what we do and see clearly what we want to achieve, a small setback - such as the lack of motivation present - will not be significant in the long run. Success is not a linear path, and we should always look at the bigger picture - the trend going upward, regardless of the setbacks, whether it's a lack of motivation, some unfavorable external circumstances, personal difficulties, or something else. We live in a fast paced, always changing society, and sometimes we have to adapt and accept the fact that we often need to change the actions towards the goal. Sometimes our career won't follow the steps we envisioned, or the timing just isn't right for something we would like to achieve now, or we realize that something we wanted isn't what we've imagined, and it's important to accept that just a little alteration will actually bring us closer to where we want to be than we originally imagined. It's important not to be too hard on yourself if you don't get what you wanted when you wanted it - on the road to success, you shouldn't be only your biggest critic, but rather - prior to anything else - be your own best friend, the strongest motivator, the loudest cheerleader, and the number one supporter.”

Awards and Recognitions

Una Karabeg's exceptional achievements have earned her numerous accolades. At 13, she was named The Best Young Technician in Bosnia and Herzegovina and received recognition from the Federal Ministry of Education and Science. During high school, she was twice listed among the top 10 most active students in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In university, Una received awards for her academic achievements and extracurricular activities, particularly as president of the Entrepreneurship Club. Her start-up idea won competitions at the Summer School in Utrecht and the Demo Day in Sarajevo as a BOLD Fellow, leading to her being named Hero of the Generation 2023 in the Innovations Category.

Her undergraduate thesis earned third place in the 3MT competition, and she graduated as the top student of the Faculty of Economics at SSST. Una's journey exemplifies how dedication and passion can lead to significant recognition and success.

Future Goals and Aspirations

Una aims to pursue graduate studies abroad to gain contemporary knowledge in marketing, communications, and negotiation. She plans to apply this knowledge through an entrepreneurial venture in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on economic empowerment and advancement for young professionals. Una aspires to create a lasting legacy and continues to work towards implementing impactful initiatives.

"My goal is to pursue my graduate studies abroad and then apply the knowledge gained there in Bosnia and Herzegovina through an entrepreneurial venture. My studies will focus on gaining specific contemporary knowledge in the area of marketing, communications, and negotiation, that can help me provide exceptional and competitive service to future clients," she shares.

Advice for Students and Graduates

Una encourages current students and recent graduates to seize every learning opportunity and build meaningful connections. She advises them to focus on their journey, be kind to themselves, and take pride in their unique qualities. Her message is to be confident, proud, and supportive of oneself, especially during challenging times, and to aspire to become the person they needed during their hardships.

"Your journey is yours alone, nobody else can walk in your shoes, and you're the one responsible to talk the talk and walk the walk. Your focus should be you - never compare yourself with other people because you never know what their story is," Una advises.

Una Karabeg's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the impact one individual can make in their community and beyond.

Alumni Success Story: Una Karabeg