Interview by Basma Humadi, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
As a part of Women’s History Month, Fourth Estate wanted to celebrate the wonderful leading ladies of Student Media. As of now, all Student Media organizations are run by women. We thought it was pretty historic – especially since representation of women in leadership positions is sparse, according to Pew Research Center. For this feature, we went around and got the inside scoop about their role and how they got to where they are now. Here’s our feature from Volition:
Ayleah Hanton and Karolina Blaziak, Volition Magazine, Co-Executive Editor
Courtesy of Ayleah Hanton
Ayleah Hanton:
How did you become a part of Volition and what made you want to join?
I joined Volition my freshman year at Mason. Karolina and I were roommates freshman year and when we found Volition, I think we were excited about the opportunity. I really enjoy writing and thought it was a great way to mix my creative side with my interest in marketing. That is why I joined Volition’s Public Relations staff.
What made you want to lead this organization/How did you end up in position? Is this something you saw yourself doing?
When I originally joined Volition, I never saw myself leading the group. I was comfortable just helping and being apart of the staff. My sophomore year, I became the Public Relations Officer for Volition. When Gia, our former executive editor, brought to my attention that she wanted me to take over as editor, I was shocked. There are people on our staff who have a better understanding of how to create a magazine this was something I have never done before. That is when I brought up the idea of sharing the position with Karolina. I think we balance each other and it was what I needed to feel comfortable in the position. So did freshman Ayleah see herself doing this? No, but I am extremely glad I did.
What are you most proud of during your time at Volition?
Right now, I’m proud of all the strides we have made to improve the magazine. We have changed the layout, how we market ourselves, even how we run our open mic nights. For a while, Volition has just kinda been there but now we are moving forward and making a name for ourselves. Hopefully, when I graduate next year Volition will have a larger presence on campus.
What’s something unexpected you think you found out about yourself by being in a leadership position?
How much I actually enjoy leading and organizing. I love working with others and creating a team that wants to make this magazine the best it can be. Also, confrontation sucks but it is necessary to keep everyone honest and moving forward with no animosity.
Courtesy of Karolina Blazia
Karolina Blaziak:
How did you become a part of Volition and what made you want to join?
I joined Volition my freshman year. I had been the copy editor and Editor-in-Chief of my high school’s literary magazine, and wanted to become involved with my college’s magazine as well. I’ve always had a love for writing and the arts, and anything that allows you to express yourself; I love to create. I would love to translate this love into a career, possibly still working with magazine or book publication.
What made you want to lead this organization/How did you end up in position? Is this something you saw yourself doing?
I started on the Art and Photography staff, and over the years I moved to Prose and Poetry, and eventually Executive Editor. I’m not sure if I ever imagined I’d be able to be the Executive Editor of a college magazine, but it was certainly a hope of mine! I had fallen in love with magazine production and gained a deeper appreciation for creative writing and the arts through my experience in high school, and knew this was something I wanted to continue doing in some way. I joined staff for these reason, but I soon realized this is what I want to do with my life after college, and switched my major to English, with a concentration in Writing and Rhetoric so I could go down that path, and be surrounded by things I love.
What are you most proud of during your time at Volition?
I’m really proud of this last semester! This was the first time Ayleah and I got to spearhead everything, and it went really well. We put a lot of focus into bettering the magazine and fixing some issues we saw over the years; we wanted to create a name for ourselves and Volition. Fall 2017 gave us the most attended Open Mic Night we’ve ever had, and nearly 200 submissions for our magazine. It was a lot of work, and I’m glad it paid off. We’re still getting the hang of some things, but this is a great learning experience for the both of us and our staff, and I know we can only go up from here. Especially with our upcoming Open Mic Night in which we’re partnering with a record company, House Studios! This is a great opportunity for us and I’m so happy they reached out to us in September. This event is going to open so many doors for Volition, our staff, and the students of Mason, which is what it’s really all about: making sure people are heard.
What’s something unexpected you think you found out about yourself by being in a leadership position?
I think I’ve definitely found more of my voice. I’m a pretty anxious and quiet person, so it’s harder for me to speak up on certain things. But with Volition, I’ve found it harder to be reserved, actually. I care so much about this magazine, and I don’t want to let this opportunity go to waste, or for something to go wrong because I didn’t speak up. And I’m really comfortable in my position and with my editors and staff, so it’s easy to have a conversation and create relationships and voice opinions. We all want the magazine to be the best it can. I’m glad for this opportunity because it’s letting me do the things I love most while also giving me the chance to grow as a person before I go out into the real world. Though creating the magazine is hectic and a lot of work, it’s one thing that has grounded me for sure, and it’s with that comfort that I make sure I’m heard, so that our writers and artists are as well.
