Odyssey. You’ve seen the articles covering your news feed or your friends have probably sent you links to certain ones that remind you of your friendship or an inside joke. They cover everything from school pride to matters of national concern, and college problems to inspirational messages.You might be an avid reader or accuse them of being amateurish. However, you view Odyssey. And there's no doubt about it: it's growing and there must be a reason for it.

So what makes Odyssey so attractive?

1. Odyssey gives people a voice.

Odyssey provides the platform, you provide the content. You have complete creative freedom over whatever you want to write about. You can pursue your passions by advocating for a certain group, report your own opinions about current politics, or share the things that bring you joy. Odyssey allows you to develop your brand and establish a portfolio of work that you care about.

2. Odyssey provides connections.

By promoting collaboration and community, Odyssey fosters an environment where writers can connect with one another. With over 12,000 creators and 1,000 communities, the Odyssey community is constantly expanding and connecting people by a common bond. When you're a part of something bigger than just you, there's support and an understanding of what you do.

3. Odyssey teaches you how to promote yourself.

Social media has become an avenue to share my voice and not just a way to show something fun I did. By utilizing my resources, I've seen articles take off in ways I hadn't even imagined them. It's rewarding seeing others sharing your work and receiving their feedback.

4. Odyssey develops critical thinking.

As they observe their world, on their campus or in their community, creators are looking for inspiration for their next article. No, this doesn't make Odyssey a reliable news source because it is made up of so many differing opinions. However, it's a great place to learn about different points of view to inform your own opinions.

Despite its critics, Odyssey is growing and expanding to new communities, informing new people, and providing experience for creators each day.

The question becomes: why wouldn't you want to get involved?