When I applied to write for Odyssey back in April, I thought I was signing up for yet another commitment just for the sake of a resume booster. If you told me that in three months, I would rely on this platform as a connection to my family and a source of self-improvement and reflection, I never would have believed it.

I’ve used Odyssey to bare my soul to the world in a way I never thought I could, and it warms my heart to see so many other individuals doing the same. People write about an incredibly wide variety of topics, ranging from breaking news to favorite TV shows culture, and personal journeys. And through writing for Odyssey on these diverse topics, you change incredibly as a writer and a person …

1. You realize you have a story to tell.

Sometimes you don’t know you have a story to tell until the pen and paper have been handed to you. Just like that, Odyssey gives you not only the platform, but the inspiration to share your story, because people listen. Because we’re constantly thinking up new topics to share each week, we have to look around and within ourselves to find compelling stories.

2. We learn how to share our voices.

A common misconception about the "new" or "younger" generation in this country is that we just don’t care about anything. We’re constantly on our phones, we don’t take an active interest in our communities, we’re disconnected from the "real" world — the list goes on and on. The truth is that our generation has and is continuing to discover unconventional tools and media to convey what we have to say and what we care about. In fact, our generation has an energetic interest in deeper social justice issues, like intersectional issues and privilege. Odyssey offers a kind of interesting cross-cut between print media and social media through which we share our work.

3. You reconnect with your community.

One of the coolest things that happened to me on my trip to India was directly facilitated by my work with Odyssey. I was overwhelmed by the influx of relatives and friends who I’d never met and wasn’t sure how to interact with these people who I’d heard so much about. The first thing that a lot of them said to me was, “Keep writing. I love your articles.”

4. We learn how to strategize.

I’m really terrible at marketing; somehow, the combination of captivating titles and thought-provoking messages is a little difficult for me to grasp. However, being an Odyssey content creator really taught me how to cater not my work, but my style so more people are interested in hearing my voice. I learned about various social media platforms, sharing strategies, and even the subtle nuances of a powerful image in my work.

5. You’re motivated to create.

I thought at one point, “What happens when I run out of ideas?” I mean, there has to be a limit, right? Wrong. I’ve written about topics ranging from Bollywood romances to feminism, from rape culture to racism. Have you ever looked at the world around you and only seen potential? That’s what Odyssey gave me.