Odyssey at North Georgia is currently comprised of almost 30 students on the Dahlonega campus. This group of talented writers is comprised of students from every graduating class 2016 through 2019, and the writers come from every major. In the Odyssey at North Georgia's strongest month, these writers' work drew nearly half a million reads from people around the world. Writing for the Odyssey is rewarding, enjoyable and looks great on a resume. How many college students can say that they contributed to the success of a website that rivals BuzzFeed for traffic from the 18 to 25-year-old age group, and whose CEO was featured in 2015 on Forbes' 30 Under 30?
It's difficult to understand what being an Odyssey writer involves, but here are some myths and correcting facts that make writing for Odyssey an attractive prospect to anyone from any walk of life.
Myth: Writing is just for English majors.
Fact: All the cool kids are doing it.
Writers for Odyssey aren't who you think they might be. They aren't all bookworms who spend their time writing in diaries and want to work for newspapers or write best-selling novels after they graduate (though some of them are, and they are great). In fact, since we started in July, we have had writers who are business, athletic training, nursing and political science majors, just to name a few. And over half of our writers are Greek. There are brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, Delta Chi, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, and Phi Sigma Chi as well as sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta, Delta Zeta, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Kappa and Phi Mu who have or are currently writing every week for the Odyssey.
Myth: I don't have time to submit every week.
Fact: It doesn't take long to write about something you're passionate about.
I've been writing since July, and some of my best performing pieces are ones I typed out in a fit of excitement in about 20 minutes because I thought of something about which I had a lot to say, and I've never spent more than an hour writing a piece.
Myth: I'm worried I'll run out of ideas.
Fact: No, you won't.
Sometimes, you may have to dig a little deeper or think a little harder, but as a college student, you have 18 to 22, or more, years of experience behind you and mysteries ahead of you. You can write about how much you miss your favorite high school club, why you love your favorite vacation destination, your religious beliefs, your political beliefs -- anything. If you're really passionate about your cell phone, or Gatorade, or even rocks, write about it. You've experienced things no one else has experienced. You have ideas other people may not have considered. You deserve a voice.
Myth: Odyssey articles are just a bunch of open letters and vapid nonsense.
Fact: Some of the most thought-provoking viral content, lately, has come from Odyssey.
Yes, writing every week does make it a little challenging to come up with hard-hitting or earth-shaking ideas, but "vapid nonsense" doesn't often appear in the North Georgia edition. Check these gems out for proof.
Difference Between Being Spiteful And Bettering Yourself, by Freshman English Major Austin King.
When People Let You Down, by Junior Business Major and Pi Kappa Alpha Brother Devin Hunter.
Why I'm Refusing To Wish Time Away, by junior political science major and Phi Mu sister, Tori Albritton.
Why We Should Pay Attention To Childhood Cancer, by freshman pre-physical therapy major and Delta Phi Epsilon sister, Heather Callahan.
As you can see, writing for Odyssey is the perfect opportunity for any student with a strong command of the English language and a desire to communicate ideas. We are always looking for new talent, and if you're convinced, the application is here. To like us on Facebook or contact us for more information, click here.
