Name: Kayla Galloway
Year: Senior
Major: Communications
Her Campus: What are you involved in on campus, and what are your positions in any clubs or organizations?Kayla Galloway: I am News Editor of the Sonoma State STAR, Sonoma State’s student-run newspaper! In addition to that, I’ve worked on campus in a few different departments since my freshman year. And then this semester, I have gotten involved Sonoma State’s Model United Nations program and club. In the club, I serve as secretary, so I handle the club’s social media among other things.
HC: How has your experience on campus affected your career goals?KG: My experiences at Sonoma State have helped me develop my career goals and have played such a significant role in helping me prepare for life after college. Coming into college, I had no idea what I wanted to do as far as a career. I knew I wanted to major in communications, but I really didn’t know what that meant as a freshman. Being a part of the STAR has opened my eyes up to the world of journalism and all the different opportunities available in the field. The STAR has ultimately shown me what I want to do in life — writing. I love to write, report on things going on in the world and talk to people affected by current events. Among all my experiences, the STAR has played the most important role in helping me figure out what I want to do in life and for that I am thankful.
HC: What is your dream job?KG: I have a lot of dream jobs — some realistic, others not so much! When I was little I wanted to be a television news anchor, a singer and a veterinarian — the first being a bit more realistic! Now preparing for graduation, I’d have to say my dream job is being a reporter for a national news organization like USA TODAY or being a reporter/anchor on the CBS news show “60 Minutes.” My passion is news and I’d like to ultimately have a career in news in one way or another.
HC: Do you feel like SSU has helped prepare you for your dream job?KG: Somewhat. I’ve learned over time, that school never truly prepares you for the real world in terms of a career, earning money, paying taxes, etc… I’ve never been taught how to find and apply for jobs, but through my college experiences I’ve gained skills that will (hopefully) qualify for my dream job someday.
HC: Can you explain your position with the STAR?KG: I am the News Editor of the STAR and with that, I oversee the news section of the newspaper and a group of news writers who write articles on a weekly basis. I essentially keep up with all things happening at Sonoma State — things like crime, events on campus, faculty strikes and student government. I also keep up to date on things happening with the CSU that may have an affect on Sonoma State students. And by keeping up to date with current events, I then assign my news writers specific news stories to report on. Once the writers have written their stories, I then edit them and design the news section of the print newspaper.
HC: What motivated you to go for the News Editor position?KG: I originally wanted to be a copy editor and then was asked to be Assistant News Editor in my sophomore year. That position basically lead me to become News Editor the following year. As a staff writer for the STAR, I loved writing for news! I got to cover things like the Student Center opening in 2013 among other things. That experience as a writer showed me what I love to do and so it inspired me to pursue the position of an editor.
HC: Has your experience with the STAR helped you with internships or potential jobs?KG: Yes! I’ve discovered over time that writing for your college newspaper actually looks good on a resume! The STAR has helped me get numerous internships and jobs in college and I am very appreciative of that!
HC: What is your favorite memory from Sonoma State?KG: Last year, I had the opportunity to write an article for USA TODAY College on the 50th anniversary of the Free Speech Movement that took place at UC Berkeley in the 1960s. An activist and important figure in the movement, Mario Savio, was a professor at Sonoma State in the 1990s and died during his time at the university. He was significant voice for student rights at SSU in the 90s, just like he was as a student at UC Berkeley in the 60s. With this article, I interviewed numerous professors and administrators about Mario Savio’s life and impact at Sonoma State as a professor. Through those interviews and writing that article, I figured out what I want to do in life and it helped me develop a passion for reporting. This article and all the work I put into it was kind of a “defining moment” in my college career and because of that, I consider it one of my favorite memories.
HC: What advice would you give to incoming freshman?KG: Get involved! It may sound cliché, but finding your place on campus can really make a difference in your time in college.