Finding Greatness: Zoe Edenfield

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Tuesday, October 8, 2019 12:00 AM
Categories: Pressroom | Finding Greatness | School of Arts and Letters | Students

Macon, GA

New Media & Communications major Zoe Edenfield is the current editor-in-chief of The Statement, MGA’s student newspaper.

Full Name: Zoe Cecilia Edenfield.

Age: 24.

Hometown: Statesboro.

Residence: Byron.

Degree Objective: Bachelor of Arts in New Media & Communications.

Class Rank: Senior.

Primary Campus: Macon.

Activities: “I am the current editor-in-chief of The Statement. It is my job to oversee what stories our staff members are covering for each issue. I am also responsible for any final editing of articles before they are put into the paper. I cover campus events and interview students, faculty, and staff members. I also send the newspaper file to the printing company and am responsible for delivering the paper.”

Career Goals: “After graduating, I am hoping to combine my degree with my experience in writing and photography to start a career in journalism.”

She chose Middle Georgia State University... “It was close to home and a less expensive option. I was accepted into a few other schools but not keen on the idea of going into extreme debt for a college education. I planned to go to what was then Middle Georgia State College, stay for the first year or so, and then transfer to a different school. However, that was the year that Middle Georgia State College became Middle Georgia State University, so I decided to stay and see what happened.

“I am glad that was my decision. Not only have I been able to take full advantage of MGA's New Media & Communications degree, it has also given me multiple opportunities to work with student media and the option of working for The Statement both as a head writer and editor-in-chief.”

The greatest thing she discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “All of the student media options - The Statement, KnighTVison News, and the Fall Line Review. Through my time working for The Statement, I have had more opportunities to meet other students and faculty members. That has helped me get out of my shell, learn more about MGA’s clubs, organizations, and departments, and attend campus events I would not have otherwise been interested in.”

Her greatest academic experience as a Middle Georgia State student has been … “The New Media & Communications courses! The program has a wide-ranging curriculum that focuses on communication and technological skills and teaches students how to think critically about mass media and pop culture. Through the courses I have taken, I have gained more knowledge about my field of interest and have learned the skills to properly utilize that information.”

To her, greatness means … “Knowing your limits. It has become an ever-present idea that to ‘give-it-your-all’ means to put your physical, mental, or emotional wellbeing aside as a way to ensure the best possible outcome. However, in doing this you put yourself at risk for any future projects, whether they be professional or personal. This does not mean that you should never try anything new or push yourself to improve. It simply means to know when you have reached your limit and when you need to ask for help. Pushing your wellbeing aside to accommodate others can and will affect you. Greatness is knowing when to stop and say ‘enough.’”

In five years … “I plan to be working as a journalist. I am not sure on the specifics just yet so I want to be able to lay out all of my options and figure out what the best course for me is. As soon as I graduate, I plan to travel overseas for a month and continue to do things over the years that help me grow personally and professionally.”