Whenever I tell people that my college major is Journalism, there are two responses that I receive almost every time.
- An uninterested, “Oh, cool.”
- A snobby, “Well, you know journalism is a dying industry, right? So, what are you going to do?”
Although these two responses are not exactly what I would like to hear from people, I have come to realize that I do not care. My college career and choices throughout those four years have nothing to do with anyone other than myself (and my parents for funding my education, of course). Being a journalism major allows me to formulate my thoughts and opinions into words on a page. It allows me to be a writer.
Growing up, I have always emulated the infamous Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City" and her coveted career as a columnist for Vogue and other high-end New York publications. Bradshaw or not, I am still a writer with my own voice; writing allows me to share my voice with others, which always ends up being one of its greatest perks. Journalism may seem like a boring major to most, but it is full of flexibility, exploration, and intriguing stories. As a journalism major at Indiana University, I have been given the opportunity to interview people, write pieces for classes, and further develop my skills as a writer. Hopefully, one day, I can be the Carrie Bradshaw of the real world… Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Sure, there are technological advances that may undermine the journalism industry and diminish the usages of magazines, newspapers, etc., but it will never undermine a good writer’s ability to freely express their thoughts. Being a writer allows me to communicate with others; I can incorporate a piece of who I am in everything I write. Writers have the freedom to say what they want, how they feel, and who they are in their pieces. Having the liberty to write about things you are passionate about or things you want to discuss with others is a great feeling. I cannot tell you enough how powerful your voice can be as a writer, whether you realize that or not.
As a writer for Odyssey, I have been able to reach out to others through my various articles. Writers have the ability to connect with, impact, and interact with their readers. More often than not, people are going to read what you write simply because they want to know your thoughts, opinions, values, and feelings. There is no better feeling that a writer experiences than when they receive positive feedback from someone who read something they wrote. Every time a writer puts their pen to a notebook or their fingers to a keyboard, they are putting their whole self into that literary piece.
Writing will always serve as a tool that people can use in any which way they choose. Sorry not sorry if my choice to be a Journalism major bores you. Even though certain technological advances these days may surpass the need for magazines or newspapers, writing will forever exist. And I will forever be a Journalism major, and more importantly, a writer.
