Thank you, Odyssey. For nearly the past year I have been a part of the Odyssey community in one way or another and having enjoyed every minute of it. I joined Odyssey without the slightest idea of what it was or what it would become, I was just an individual that was seeking an outlet to write, to express myself, and that is exactly what Odyssey gave me. Odyssey has allowed me to work on my craft, to turn a mere hobby potentially into a career, it allowed me to meet new and interesting people and read unique stories that deserve to be shared. Most importantly, Odyssey gave me a voice when not only I wanted one but needed it most. Though with all of that being said there always comes a time to move on, to continue to take on new projects and why after numerous articles and countless numbers of days and nights editing work I am leaving Odyssey and this will inevitably be my final article for Odyssey.
As the young freshman with an appetite to reach perhaps higher than I should have I applied to become the first Editor-In-Chief at my SUNY Geneseo community, unknowingly this would be one of the best decisions of my young professional career. Becoming Editor-In-Chief was about so much more than simply writing a piece of weekly content for me, it was about leading others, doing my best to inspire, and to get just as much out of the position as I put in. Along the way, though of course Odyssey has taken criticism just like everything else, and as an Odyssey member, of course, I dealt with it first hand. For every piece of criticism I received along the way, there was another equal if not a greater moment that made me so proud of what I was doing and apart of. Whether it was leading a community meeting and seeing the smiles and eagerness on everyone's faces or having complete strangers come up to me and comment on an article I had written, these moments of validation made it all worth it.
Perhaps the greatest thing Odyssey has given me along the way was the chance to go behind the scenes, to truly work for Odyssey. Becoming an editorial intern with Odyssey in the summer of 2016 was an experience like no other. From a work standpoint what was accomplished and what went into the everyday functions of the company was amazing, being able to see this company grow day in and day out, it felt as if we were growing alongside one another in our careers. From the guidance I obtained from those I worked with, inspiring me each and every day. I look back now and can still remember my first day walking into that building and just thinking can this all be real, can everyone be this happy, this involved in their work, and simply just this well cool. Perhaps most importantly was what this internship gave me from a social perspective. Having worked among fourteen of the most amazing interns, going through the daily grind, experiencing life one article at a time, never failing to realize how lucky we truly were. Meeting people from different walks of life from different parts of the country, from Oregon to Florida and even Long Island. These friendships and relationships that I built truly will live with me forever. If all Odyssey were to give me over our time together was these people then that alone would have been too much.
As I leave Odyssey and all it has given to me I can not help but look back with fond memories about all I have learned, the people I have met and all I have accomplished. From Evan Burns the CEO all the way down to every content creator ever to be a part of my community I thank you for building this to what it is today. Perhaps most importantly is someone who beleived in me every step along the way and has furthered my career and life more than she ever will know, thank you Emily DeCicco. With all of that being said I leave Odyssey as humbely as I began, thank you Odyssey.
