Profiles of Tenacity: Kayla West

Kayla West is a fourth year Entertainment and Media Studies major with a minor in sociology and certificates in New Media and Personal and Organizational Leadership. She is from Suwanee, Georgia. West serves as an ambassador for Grady College, a manager for Women in Media, a co-chair for the National Council of Negro Women and a Spring 2025 Institute for Leadership Advancement Fellow.

Read her Q/A below.

Why did you choose your major?

Well firstly, I am a transfer student and I came to UGA in the fall of my sophomore year. Coming into my freshman year, I was a journalism major and I knew I always wanted to do something media related, but I wasn’t too sure what exactly that looked like. Once I came to Georgia and applied to Grady, Entertainment and Media Studies made the most sense to me because I love the process of creating something with a camera, whether that’s filming a video, producing, editing, whatever it may be. That process is something that’s very near and dear to my heart and I knew I wanted to learn more about the entertainment industry.

What does tenacity mean to you?

Tenacity to me is honestly just the ability to keep going. Life is full of hardships and surprises, but how you handle them is what truly makes you different from everybody else. I am the type of person where when I put my mind to something, it will simply happen and get done. I moved around a lot as a kid, and I always made sure that I was never known for being the “new” kid. Moving around gave me the opportunity to meet new people and have more experiences, so I never thought of it as a bad thing. My tenacity, even as a little girl, played a big role in that mindset.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to other Grady students?

Don’t be afraid to try new things outside of Grady. When I first started taking my core classes, I found out very quickly that I didn’t want to do anything related to the traditional entertainment industry, whether it was screenwriting, directing, etc. With the help of some of my friends and doing some research, I was able to add minors and certificates that I found the most interest in and made sense to me long term. Two of those being a sociology minor and a Certificate in Personal and Organizational Leadership. I love learning about the different behaviors of people and figuring out why specifically that is, and I wanted to expand and dial in on my leadership skills, which is why I chose my minor and certificate. Just because you’re in one college doesn’t mean you can’t mix and mingle classes and coursework. You’re only in college for so long, and as long as your coursework makes sense for you, that’s all that matters.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life?

Honestly, I’d say my mom. Like I mentioned earlier, I moved around a lot as a kid, and being the youngest sibling, a lot of my adolescence was spent with just her. Even though we were always packing up and moving our things, she always made sure I had what I needed and was the happiest little girl I could be. She made a lot of sacrifices early on to get where we are now, and I truly owe it all to her. She is #mrsmakeithappen.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the past year?

I would definitely say my biggest accomplishment is securing an internship at Edelman this past summer. I remember feeling so behind the summer of my sophomore year because I had nothing and was quite literally denied from every company I applied to. I made it my mission to make sure I had an internship lined up the next summer because I had spent all of them in the past working at fast food restaurants. I knew I was capable of doing the work, I just needed someone else to see that. Getting the call that I had been offered a position at Edelman was truly such a surreal moment, and all I remember was breaking down in tears while still on the phone (I know, right, lol). Needless to say, I was very proud of myself, and gaining experience in the public relations world was such a fun experience and was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Remember, all you need is one yes!

What is your favorite place on campus and why?

My favorite place on campus would have to be my job where I work. I’m a student office assistant at Tate in the Campus Reservations office, and it truly is such a safe space for me. I always know when I’m having a bad day or when literally any inconvenience comes up, I can go there and find my friends (who are also my coworkers) and talk their ear off about anything.

What advice would you give to your future self?

Slow down! My mind literally moves a million miles per minute, and I really struggle with staying in the present and enjoying where I’m at right now. I will say I’ve been better at taking it slower since I’m now in my last semester of college, but I still struggle. Everything always works out the way it’s supposed to, and even though a year from now I have no idea where I’ll be in life, as long as I’m doing the little things every day to try and be prepared, that’s all that matters. Also another little thing would be to just keep swimming, hard work does pay off!

Editor: Anyi Morfaw, abm40431@uga.edu