Finding Greatness: Kaitlyn Kelly

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, March 11, 2019 12:00 AM
Categories: Pressroom | Students | College of Arts and Sciences | Finding Greatness

Macon, GA

New Media major Kaitlyn Kelly, senior writer for #MGA’s student newspaper and a reporter for the student video production office, is pursuing a career in film production.

Full Name: Kaitlyn Nicole Kelly.

Age: 20.

Hometown: Albany.

Residence: Macon.

High School: Albany High School, where she was a member of the cheerleading team.

Family: Sherita Kelly (Mother), Wylene Tolbert (Grandmother), Terry Kelly (Father), LaMeisha Hunter Kelly (Stepmother).

Employment: VA work-study student/co-advisor for the Office of Career Services (Macon Campus); head  writer for the University student newspaper, The Statement.

Degree Objective: Bachelor of Arts in New Media & Communications with a minor in Creative Writing.

Class Rank: Junior.

Primary Campus: Macon.

Activities:

1. The Statement - “I am currently part of two of the three student media organizations on the Macon Campus. I am the head writer at The Statement. As head writer, I am required to write news stories on events that occur on campus, write feature articles on faculty and staff members or locations on campus, and also opinion articles. With this position, I also review other staff writers’ news stories to edit and revise. I am also responsible for delivering the University newspaper around the Macon Campus to the designated buildings. I also conduct interviews with faculty, staff, and students on campus pertaining to campus events.”
2. KnighTVison News - “I am currently a field reporter for the student video production office, KnighTVision News. Next semester, I aspire to be either news director or co-director of KnighTVision, as my advisor and other peers have expressed that they would like for me to play a big part in this student media organization."

Career Goals: “With my degree, I aspire to become a film producer. I have a strong passion for writing and creating fiction stories and would like to see my ideas come to life and appear on the big screen. To be able to watch what was once a thought from my imagination manifest into something much greater is everything that I’ve ever wanted to do in life since my childhood. I’ve recognized that I have a talent for impacting people through my writing and would love to execute my stories and bring them to life through film production.”

She chose Middle Georgia State University because … “I heard others speak highly of the school. I also chose this University because it wasn’t too far away from my family. Family is one of the things that I value in life. Being here at MGA has allowed me to physically be a little bit closer to my family.”

The greatest thing she discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “There are other students like me. This University is filled with students that I can connect with intellectually and there are students who actually have the same work ethic as I do and the same craving for success that I have. I also discovered that Middle Georgia State will always be dear to my heart, even long after I graduate. This University has transformed me academically, socially, and mentally. Every aspect of this University has given me the mindset that I can literally achieve anything I put my mind to and that no goal is too big or too small.”

Her greatest academic experience at Middle Georgia State student has been … “The success that I have had in my major courses. These courses are bringing me closer to reaching my goal to become a film producer as I absorb new information pertaining to my field of interest. The film production courses and screenwriting courses have really confirmed that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I don’t just want a job. I want a career; a career that I am passionate about.”

To her, “greatness” means … “I define greatness as being the best version of yourself that you can be regardless of anyone else’s perception of you. Greatness is about being able to persistently push yourself and make progress in all aspects of your life whether big or small and applauding yourself when you reach a new milestone. I also believe that greatness is overcoming fears and taking a step out on faith and trying new things.”

In five years … “In the first five years after I graduate, I picture myself getting started on my path to become a successful film producer in Atlanta. Realistically, one cannot just become a film producer overnight, you have to progress over time. I do not see myself as being a film producer within the next five years; however, I do see myself obtaining a position that will potentially land me my dream job as a film producer. I see myself being a part of the film industry, maybe starting out as a writer or an assistant, but whichever position I obtain within the next five years, there is not a doubt in my mind that it’s going to prepare me for my desired position. Regardless of whatever position I obtain within the film industry, I picture myself embracing the atmosphere of my job and each element that comes along with being a film producer. On a personal level, I envision myself as an individual who never stops making efforts to improve herself in all aspects of life: academically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I believe that no one ever stops growing internally.”