Wow, I can say I actually made it. There were times at the beginning when it was tough, a little too tough, making me question whether this job was really suited for me. It had all happened so fast and I was caught in a whirlwind of excitement, confusion, and newness.

Let me take you back to the beginning.

I started as a content creator for Odyssey in February of my Sophomore year. I had always wanted an outlet to express my thoughts so I knew it was a perfect match. I stayed in this position for about nine months when I started wondering if there was any way I could begin editing for the platform. Out of curiosity, I messaged the former Editor-In-Chief asking her if there were any openings and to my shock, she wanted me to start that same week. She had never had a contributing editor before but knew it was something the team needed so it was fate that brought us to that point.

After writing and editing for a few months, everything was going well and I was greatly enjoying all the work I was doing. It was a job that stayed in moderation and one that I knew I would be busy on Fridays for writing and Sundays for editing - it was simple, cut and clean. But at the beginning of December, the Editor-In-Chief told me she was stepping down as she was preparing for graduation, meaning I would be taking her spot. And that is when everything went up into the air.

I no longer had a position I knew exactly how to do. This new one was something I never thought of doing but one that I was still highly interested in.

I was beyond excited to be taking on this new role and learning everything it entailed.

I was scared to be taking on such a powerful position and one that I really wasn't prepared for.

But overall, I was confused about absolutely everything.

When I started the position, it was like I was being thrown into the fire. I felt like I wasn't doing anything right, I didn't know how to speak with my content creators, and I had zero clues of what I was supposed to be doing.

There was a lot I didn't know about this job, the main one being that it was basically a 24/7 position. You may be thinking, how could that be possible? Well, I don't work in an office for a 9-5 job. I have my laptop and my phone, always bringing my job with me whether I am in class, laying in bed, out with friends, or doing anything. Whenever someone needs help, I have to be there to guide them. When a writer has a question, I need to answer it as soon as I can. It's necessary for me to constantly check into the system to see if people are applying, submitting articles, editing articles, or just marking down their ideas.

On top of it, I'm not only working with just my team of writers but a managing editor above me and a whole sea of other EICs like me. With them, it's letting everyone know how everything is going, what I am doing, what needs to be done, how the team is doing, what the numbers are looking like, and everything else I can think of. It's building team relationships, as well as working ones, along with weekly emails and bi-weekly calls to establish a baseline. It is never ending but it is a job I am forever grateful for.

If I had quit back in February like I wanted to, I could never have said that I basically mastered the job. I now know how to speak with creators about not only the bad but the good. I manage one of the largest Odyssey teams, including a whole new executive board that I created including three contributing editors, a social media director, and an outreach specialist. I built the team from 12 content creators to 45, a number I never thought in my wildest dreams I could reach.

If I had quit when I wanted to, I never could have felt this much pride in myself. I stuck it out when I felt like the odds were against me. I continue to work hard making my team stronger every single day because I can genuinely say I love them not only just as a whole, but as individuals. I don't see my team as creators I need to manage or articles I have to edit anymore, I see them as friends, as writers who are making their own dreams come true.

I am someone they look up to - something I have always dreamed of being.

It's a hard job and it tests me every single day. I often wish I could have a weekend off, or even just a day, but I remember how big of a blessing it is in my life and it reminds me to just continue going. It's more than just a line on a resume, it's a learning experience I didn't know I needed.

It's taxing, tiring, and frustrating, but it is something I will never give up until I have to when I graduate. It's a lot of coffee, long days, and too many messages, but I've enjoyed it all.

I don't know who I would be today if I wasn't an Editor-In-Chief but I'm glad I don't know that answer.