Finding Greatness: Carolyn Goodman

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, October 14, 2019 12:00 AM
Categories: Pressroom | Students | School of Computing | School of Arts and Letters | Finding Greatness

Macon, GA

Carolyn Goodman is studying cybersecurity with the goal of becoming an attorney with highly versatile skills.

Full Name: Carolyn Rebecca Goodman.

Age: 22.

Hometown and Residence: Lizella.

High School: “I graduated from the Goodman’s High School, my parent’s homeschool curriculum, in 2016. I was highly active in high school, but the bulk of my efforts were spent being involved in Mock Trial, an activity organized by the State Bar of Georgia in which every round of competition is evaluated by attorneys and judges. I competed all four years in this activity at the regional, district, state, national, and international level, receiving the Outstanding Attorney award in every round of competition my junior and senior year. In addition, I received the Honorable Walker P. Johnson Award, presented to the Macon Bar Association to the most successful Mock Trial attorney in the Middle Georgia area, and I passed the Junior Bar Exam with honors. Besides Mock Trial, I was also involved in One Act, where I received the Best Actress award at regionals and state, and Speech Club in addition to taking part in numerous community service efforts around the Middle Georgia area.”

Family: “My parents are Rick and Joy Goodman. I have four siblings listed in order of birth: Noelle Goodman Hall, Andrew Goodman, Patrick Goodman, and Holly Goodman.”

Employment: “I am a full-time student in the School of Computing at MGA.”

Degree Objective: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity.

Class Rank: Junior.

Primary Campuses: Macon and online.

Activities: “At MGA I was a tutor in the Writing Center for two semesters and am currently the secretary of the AIDS/AIM club. Outside of MGA, I have interned for two summers at the Bibb County District Attorney’s Office and am currently beginning my fourth year as an attorney coach for a High School Mock Trial team.”

Career Goals: “My ultimate career goal is to be an attorney. Ever since I was a child, technology and law interested me. As I grew to notice the world around me, I observed a muddy concoction of hope, passion, and depravity. All my life I’ve wanted to make it better. I want to help overcome the rampant injustice and hurt that dictates the lives of the helpless; however, it wasn’t until my high school years and being involved in Mock Trial that I discovered where those passions would lead me. Since then, my aspirations have always been aimed towards the same goal: to be a prosecutor – an advocate for justice.”

She chose Middle Georgia State University because … “Middle Georgia State University met all my requirements; however, while it is in the right area for me and is affordable, those are not the sole reasons I chose this school. I loved the community. Three of my four siblings attended and graduated from this University, and their personal experiences at MGA highly influenced my decision. Not only did they all receive great job opportunities due to MGA’s respectable degree programs, but the level of care and support they received was unparalleled.

“After choosing Middle Georgia State University, I can say first hand that all my siblings’ accounts were accurate. Classes are well-paced and informative, professors are inspiring and approachable, and the students are eager to get involved and hard-working. I love my college. I have learned so much because of this school and the people in it, and I know that I will be forever changed because of my experience here at MGA.”

The greatest thing she discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “Because of my sibling’s accounts about Middle Georgia State University, I was expecting some of the professors to be nice, but I was elated to learn the extent to which our professors are caring and invested in their students’ success. Again and again my professors have said they want to hear our questions, they want to help us, that they have office hours so we can get to know them, receive additional instruction, or hear our concerns. This far exceeded anything I had expected, and all my professors have continued to follow this exemplary example to ensure that each student receives their best chance.”

Her greatest academic experience as a Middle Georgia State student has been … “There are several. I have had the honor of being selected to have my name on the President’s List every year, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. I was asked to tutor my freshman year, which was indeed an unexpected honor. I have had three professors in three separate classes inform me that my submitted projects in their class have been used in subsequent semesters as the example for current students taking that class. Finally, I have recently received the honor to be an active member and secretary of the AITS/AIM club, consisting of a select few highly successful students and mentors alike.”

To her, greatness means … “Greatness to me lies in the value of one’s effort, not in the nature or appeal of the work itself. Many people accept that greatness is weighed by the number on one’s paycheck or by the legacy one leaves behind, but I accept a different definition. If one is doing what one loves and working hard, and if by working hard one can achieve success, then that is greatness. Power, money, and fame are nothing to me next to satisfaction and contentment at a job well done. If any part of an effort is only halfway made, then there can be no greatness in it. So my message is this: ‘Find what you love, do it well, and greatness will follow you where you go.’”

In five years … “I certainly see myself working as a prosecutor. My scholastic studies and all other current endeavors are aimed at the future, so I can have the opportunity to apply all my power and knowledge to help people. Not only is the safety of communities of the upmost importance to me, but so too is the mission of a prosecutor: to protect the integrity of justice and due process, to be an advocate for those who are wronged. This solemn principle is a creed to which I wish to help uphold. Making our communities stronger, safer, and kinder is certainly an undertaking, but it is a mission I will eagerly accept.”