Story time:
I'm a night person like most everyone knows by now, so naturally I was scrolling through the graces of the internet one December evening -- or morning depending on the person -- and I decided to impulsively apply to be a writer for Odyssey. When I saw I needed to apply under my school, I wasn't surprised when I didn't see the name of my home institution which contains roughly 1400 students listed in the options. So, I decided to apply on behalf of my school to bring Odyssey to our campus. And I have patted myself on the back countless times for making that decision. I got an email from my soon-to-be Assistant Managing Editor, Irene, and the rest is history.
I have been an Odyssey EIC (Editor-In-Chief) and content creator (or "writer" as we were called when I started) for seven months. I have had two Assistant Managing Editors -- Irene and now currently Jamie -- and I have so many things to thank them for because this whole process has taught me so much. If you're new to Odyssey or thinking about writing for us, I guarantee you will come across these lessons as well.
Odyssey will teach you what true freedom as a writer looks like when you sit down at your computer every week and you're able to write an article about something that inspires you every week. This is my 29th article with that freedom.
Odyssey will teach you to admire the voice that you have and the willingness you have to put that voice on a national platform; it will teach you to own the voice that you used to convince yourself wasn't worthy of being heard.
Odyssey will teach you that when someone disagrees with a more "controversial" article topic and the stance you have taken on it, that it is actually encouraged to open discussion. It's okay to disagree and it's okay to learn how to have a civilized conversation or debate surrounding the topic -- that's how you learn. Pettiness is never needed.
Odyssey will teach you that not everyone's opinion matters or is worth your time and thus you can't let every negative emotion or comment get in your head as you pursue and embody something you love to do: write.
Odyssey will teach you that there are so many people out there who have the same passion and drive that you have; I'm not alone. (Shoutout to all of Jamie's EICs that I have the honor of speaking with each week. Thank you for understanding me).
Odyssey will teach you that wanting to be a writer is something to be proud of, not something to nod and shrug when someone doubts you.
Odyssey will teach you to dissect every intricate corner of yourself because that's the only way you're going to be able to come up with an article every week for seven months.
Odyssey will teach you that you can't give up just because everything isn't going the way we planned.
Odyssey will teach you how to respect deadlines and how to incorporate them into your everyday schedule. One article must be submitted each week. When I'm a full time student, I have to learn how to incorporate another deadline into my schedule and thus I manage my time with a greater sense of organization. Submitting an article must have the same attention and care as writing/turning in a paper.
Applying for Odyssey was one of the best decisions I've made during my undergraduate education. It has given me a taste or a more professional setting that surrounds an area in which I love working. And as much as I have learned in my seven months with Odyssey, this is just the beginning and I know I have much more to learn as time moves on.
