Hey readers! My name is Emily Mein and I am interning with NextStepU as the editorial assistant. Since I’ll be sharing blogs and articles with you all, I thought I’d share a couple of things about me.
1. Experience is my favorite part of college
I knew pretty early on that I wanted to become a journalist and focus on sports. But when I started at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, I didn’t have any experience. So, about a month into my freshman year, I decided to join our student newspaper, The Cardinal Courier. I began writing sports stories and helping the sports editor edit and compile scores and schedules and I really enjoyed it.
What I didn’t expect was when I went to return my office key at the end of my first year; the advisor sat me down to tell me I was the next editor-in-chief. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped but I composed myself enough to agree that I would start in January. However, circumstances changed that and I ended up taking over a few months early. I was literally thrown into the position with no looking back.
I never would have imagined that I would get experience like this so early in my college career. But instead of being a scared freshman, I put myself out there and ended up taking on a role that changed my life forever. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the reins of a college newspaper, but now I am dreading the day where I have to let go.
Now with my experience as editor, my eyes are opened to other opportunities. I now have experience in copyediting, social media, software and even managing. With internships like this one and others I plan to do, I’ll be able to learn even more.
2. I’m the type of person who has obsessions
Obsession 1. I love pasta. I love bread. Those are my two food weaknesses. I could eat a never-ending amount of both.
Obsession 2. Even it means waking up at 6 a.m., I’m going to the gym. As a college student, you’re going to be busy, but you can make time for you. Going to the gym can be a big stress-reliever. Trust me, it helps.
Obsession 3. Syracuse basketball is my life. I grew up in Brewerton, New York, just twenty minutes away from the Syracuse University campus. I’ve been to so many games I’ve lost count and I could tell you facts about players you didn’t think you needed to know.
3. I’ve learned a little bit along the way
Throughout my experience in college, I’ve learned a couple pieces of advice but one thing I would be sure to advise future college students is this — jump out of your comfort zone. Learning to be uncomfortable is one of the most useful lessons you will learn. It will only make you a stronger person. It might be scary, but I promise you it’ll be worth it.
Written by Emily Mein. Emily attends St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. Sharing information or a person’s story with people is why she loves writing. She can never get enough of Twitter, pasta and Syracuse basketball.
