I've known for years that I loved writing and wanted to continue, but at a campus as large as the University of Texas, I was overwhelmed with all the places I could write and explore journalism and nervous about competing with so many other talented writers. Then I discovered The Odyssey, an online magazine that gave me the freedom to write about what I wanted and I remembered why I liked writing so much in the first place.

1. What you want

The Odyssey gives you a chance to write about what you want and what you think others will read. Editors are willing to hear your ideas for stories and be constructive if they think you could do better. You can write about spring break destinations, everlasting sisterly bonds, sports, or ongoing scandals. The Odyssey advertises itself as a magazine that focuses on both national and local news, all written by college students.

2. How much you want

The Odyssey also allows you to decide how much you write. There are deadlines for final drafts, but you get to choose how many stories you produce a week. Have some extra time over Christmas break? You can write 3 stories. Busy during final weeks? The Odyssey is flexible and understands that students are students while also holding them accountable as professional journalists.

3. Experience, experience, experience

I started here as a social media editor. I controlled the magazine's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. This was fun, and my first experience as a professional on social media. Soon after, I got the chance to write my first story, and I realized I was much more at home writing than I was on Twitter or Facebook. I became a writer, and I now often get the chance to edit some stories, too. The beauty of The Odyssey is that there are different positions, and you can try them all until you find the one that fits you best.

4. Improve your writing

Of course the most obvious reason to write for The Odyssey: you get a chance to improve your writing. Editors take careful time to edit each story and recommend improvements for each writer. It could be the first time you receive constructive criticism on your work. Although eye opening for some writers, it is an unavoidable part of journalism if you plan on continuing on in this field.

5. Get your work published

The Odyssey is a great outlet to publish your work on, and looks impressive in your future portfolio. Being a college freshman when I joined, I was so excited to be thrown right into the thick of things, having my articles published immediately. The feeling of having your first article published and watching the number tick at the top as more and more people read it, is really indescribable.

The Odyssey is always looking for more writers, and there are way more than these 5 reasons that you should consider writing for it today!