1. You can write about literally whatever you want.
Here at Odyssey, writers are free to write about anything they want. Odyssey is not my personal blog, as some people would argue, but it's a platform where I can feel free to write about anything from Donald Trump to Kim Kardashian to what's going on this week's "Bachelorette."
2. There is a weekly deadline to keep you on schedule.
And you never, never, ever miss it. If you really knew me, you would know that I use my planner religiously. I have my deadline for Odyssey written in for Saturday night, reminding me to submit my article by deadline. Once you get used to it, it becomes second nature. Once in a while, you may forget, but overall, the deadline teaches discipline and structure for aspiring young journalists.
3. It's for college students, by college students.
Nobody can say that millennials are ignorant and glued to their phones clueless no more! With Odyssey, writers can write about politics and current events, in the perspective of college students everywhere. We can give our thoughts on the presidential election and inform our audience of what's going on in the world. We literally get to reach out to other college students in a way of writing what makes sense to us. Also, Odyssey was first started by college students at Indiana University. Now those college students are heads of one of the most popular publications in the country, making much more than the average journalist.
4. It's a great resume builder.
To put Odyssey on their resume and their email signatures is cool enough. You get to say that you wrote freelance all throughout college, unpaid, on top of your schoolwork! Aside from that, no matter what career field you're in, Odyssey looks great on all resumes. Also, it creates an online portfolio and can submit your published articles when you're applying for jobs in journalism.
5. Any major can write for Odyssey.
You are a biochemistry major but also love to write? Then this is perfect for you! I personally am a Public Relations major, and although it's similar to journalism, PR students don't typically write for newspapers. With Odyssey, I can get the PR education and gain a PR career, but still have journalism experience under my belt. It's a win-win.
6. I can write an article in 20 minutes.
I mean, come on, what Odyssey writer hasn't written an article 20 minutes before midnight on Saturday night?
7. Making lists are the best.
Listicles, listicles, listicles. I write them, other writers write them, other writers for other online publications write them, so they are becoming popular. Although some argue that it's not real journalism, they are still pretty fun to write. Call me crazy, but I just think listicles are well on their way of becoming the new face of journalism.
If you're interested in writing for Odyssey, click on Careers at the bottom of this page and apply! It's simple and easy to apply, and once you get it, you won't regret it.
