I read my first Odyssey article in May 2016. An inspiring piece about the challenges which women face, it made me realize that writing is a powerful tool. I immediately wanted in on the opportunity to create and publicize. Here are just a few reasons why writing for Odyssey has become one of my favorite things to do (and why you should consider becoming a content creator!)

You can write about anything you want.

No more of having to answer some question about why Atticus Finch chose to defend Tom Robinson. Visited an exotic part of the world? Share your experience. Want to speak out about that new policy the president just proposed? Publicize your opinion. There is no shortage of topics to write about.

You get to improve your writing skills.

When you wait until the day you have an article due to start writing, you really learn to think on your feet and do quality writing. This skill of quality writing in a short time span will definitely come in handy for all that essay writing in college.

You'll have something unique to add to your resume.

Even if you don't want to pursue journalism, having interests which are different from the usual science or business students can help set you apart. The best part is being able to talk passionately about your work for Odyssey.

Getting recognition.

Having someone come up to you and say "Hey I read your article! It was great." leaves you with a feeling of overwhelming joy. To me, it means that someone actually cares about what I have to say and that they value my work.

Reading what others write.

Many times when I'm on my phone, I'm not texting or snapchatting someone (sorry to debunk that belief, Mom and Dad), but rather reading an Odyssey article. Reading what others have to say on various topics is a great way to learn more about current events, see how Friends GIFS can be used for anything, and find very relatable "open letters."

Meeting new people.

It could be fellow content creators in your area or your editors, but there is definite potential here for making new friends and gaining mentorship. You might even get VIP passes to a small concert and have the chance to interview the lead singer.

Writing about important issues.

"The pen is mightier than the sword." By writing on a platform where your voice could potentially reach thousands of people, you have the power to write about things that matter to you – whether that be gender equality, equal access to education, or eliminating hunger. You have the power to spread awareness.

Writing for Odyssey has been one of the best opportunities I have ever experienced. I have only been writing for a few months, but I have grown to love publishing articles almost every weekend. After a while, people do start to publicly disagree with what you have to say. But that is a part of the journey, and what's an article without some discussion around it?