Coming to college, I knew I wanted to write. I spent hours scouring the Columbia website, putting my name on numerous mailing lists, and making it my priority to find a publication in which I could express myself comfortably and freely. I was fortunate enough to find these publications, further exposing myself to the Columbia community at large while covering issues that were meaningful to me. This happened quickly and before I knew it, I was writing for two campus publications and had an editorial internship at a magazine located in downtown Manhattan. Add this to the plethora of essay due dates marked in my calendar and you come out with an average of 960 minutes of my week spent writing--let's not forget I am an English major so don't quote me on those numbers, but the sentiment is there.

I decided I needed a break. So what did I do? I accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief for Odyssey's Columbia chapter. I have made this position of my top priorities this semester and have absolutely no regrets. One of my best friends recently share a piece of advice that has been embedded in my head ever since. She said, "to get something you've never had before, you have to do something you've never done before." Have I written before? Yes. Have I edited before? Yup. Have I ever had to recruit a group of unique and brilliant writers in order to launch a publication that is unaquainted with this campus? Can't say I have.

I love sharing my voice with this community and covering issues that effect us all directly on a daily basis. However, I was attracted to Odyssey for more distinct reasons. I am now attached to a much larger network consisting of inspiring writers around the country. I am incentivized to write pieces that reach not just my fellow students, but also the general public. Odyssey has given me a platform on which I can express my opinions in a creative and more ample way. I can confidently say that Odyssey has given me the opportunity to grow as a Millennial, a leader, and of course, a correspondent.