It's crazy to think that a year has already passed since I've been writing for Odyssey. I remember clicking through dozens of articles daily, hoping that I could be writing something that can too, inspire others. I don't know exactly if I have inspired a bunch of people, but I have learned a lot about myself, my career path, and my writing through this great company.
Odyssey is in a way a safe place for those who have opinions or who have stories that need to be told. To some, it may be more therapeutic than just a hobby. I know for me, being able to write about whatever I want has been a stress reliever for sure. When I was a freshman, I thought being a journalist was my path in life, but I discovered that maybe it wasn't the best fit for me. Something didn't feel right, and I thought I had wasted a whole year taking classes I would never need.
After that summer, I started my sophomore year at IU and it has changed my life immensely. Not only did I discover my passion for PR and Advertising, but I discovered my own writing voice through Odyssey. There was a part of me that had kind of disliked sticking to this certain writing structure of journalism, but without that structure, I don't think I would be the writer or student that I am today. I still do write journalistically once and awhile because I love meeting and learning about new people; but being able to exert my own voice weekly in articles I create myself is something that I couldn't do my freshman year.
I was in a creative rut, on a tedious schedule, and running on strict deadlines every few days. This foundation was what I needed to structure myself as a writer and get serious about a career. Just because my future doesn't include working for a newspaper, that doesn't mean I still can't write. That holds true for many others that are involved with Odyssey because it doesn't matter what your major is. The only thing that truly matters is the happiness writing brings you.
Without Odyssey, I don't think I would have had a more creative outlet than I do right now. I also don't think I would be still writing at all. After the many trials and tribulations that journalism brought me, I can't say I regret anything; because how would I have learned who I was otherwise? So if you're stuck in a writing rut, confused about a future writing career, or needing an outlet for your thoughts, Odyssey is waiting for you.
