I'll be honest, before I joined Odyssey at UMass Amherst I didn't know much about it.

Quite a few of my friends from other universities kept talking about "getting published." If you have any interest in writing at all you know those are the magic words, so my friends encouraged me to see if there was a chapter near where I would be attending school. Obviously, there was. Here are a few reasons we want you to join our team!

1. Content

With more writers comes more variety. Not only will you get to write about whichever topics you are passionate about, but you'll also be able to share your own opinions and join discussions on a much larger platform. The more we grow, the better representation will be for different interests or opinions, so why not share yours?

2. Networking

Writing for Odyssey Online has been a great way to connect with people looking to go into a similar field, but it has also allowed me to build connections with people going into a wide range of professions. The more connections you have the better. It's also a great way to make new friends!

3. Community

With that networking and friendship building comes a strengthened sense of community, Being in Odyssey Online at UMass makes you feel like a part of something. Our chapter is a safe space to share your struggles, interests, goals, and opinions.

4. Resume Building

Wouldn't it be nice to put solid writing experience on your resume. Even if you don't plan to go into Communication, Journalism, or English, this kind of writing experience provides some fantastic "fluff" for your resume. It will make you stand out.

5. An Outlet

Whether you're going through a major challenge or needing to talk about the latest Game of Thrones episode, Odyssey gives you a place to send out all your energy. Chances are, somebody else is feeling the same way. Whether your work helps someone through a rough time, contributes to the hype of latest trends, or states a controversial opinion, your likely to find other people can relate to you along the way.

I could not be happier that I joined the Odyssey team at UMass Amherst. During the past year I have learned so much about others, journalistic integrity, and reliability. Most importantly I've learned a lot about myself.

Take the chance to share your voice with our community and beyond, and add a little bit of you back to UMass. If any of this sounded interesting to you, consider joining our team. We'd love to hear what you have to say!