Expungement in Georgia are hard to get?

Okay i really need someone who has some kind of legal experience. When i was like 17 i was with a friend and we got caught shoplifting, yeah i know it was a really silly thing to do. I went to court did my probation and everything, I thought that because i was a first offender i would be able to get it expunged. But i've been hearing that you cannot get a record expunged in Georgia if you were convicted of the crime, like pleading guilty. But then I've also heard that you can get expunged it would just be harder to do it. Having this on my record is affecting getting into a good school, getting into the program i want, and getting a job. I really don't understand why something i did when i was 17 and stupid would effect me for life. Im 20 now and almost done with my 2nd year of college. its time for me to get into my major program, but its going to be difficult if i have this on my record. Im willing to send millions of letters and talk to millions of people, and run around to millions of different places to get this taken off of my record. Does anyone know for sure who i need to contact for an expungement or a seal of records? Will i need a Lawyer? Has anyone else been in this situation? and what did you do?