On the first few days of my sophomore year, I remember walking through the Student Union, being haggled by whatever RSO or club was tabling that day. I was yet to be involved in a student organization, but during those first few weeks, I was determined to join something. However, the issue was that when I walked through the Student Union, I usually avoided taking free swag from the clubs or any callouts in my direction. That was until I saw the Massachusetts Daily Collegian table.
Someone called me over, and I had a vague interest in news, so I decided to waltz on over. I spoke with the person at the table, and they told me about the mission of the Collegian, what being a writer would look like and how I could get involved. A few days later, I mustered up the courage to attend the All Staff meeting and decided to write an article for the Arts and Living section afterwards. A few weeks later, I tried my hand at the Opinion section. But alas, those were my first and final contributions to the Collegian.
I got busier, and I felt intimidated by the excellence that so clearly filled the office. I fell victim to impostor syndrome, as many people do, and it wasn’t until the end of the spring semester of my sophomore year that I saw an ad for a public relations assistant at the Collegian. I decided to apply — with little to no experience — and was hired (to my surprise).
During my first semester working at the Collegian, I somehow immediately felt connected to the people there. I’m not sure what the shift was, but I am certainly grateful for it. After that semester, I moved to Florence, Italy, for the spring but worked hard to stay connected with the newspaper. I eventually applied for Head of Public Relations and later happily accepted the offer. This would be my first full year at the Collegian, and while I sit here and write this, I so badly wish I had stuck with it my sophomore year.
The friends I have made along the way are unlike any other. Their minds are unbelievably genius, their drive is commendable, but it is their hearts that truly impress me.
The care that each of these journalists has is admirable. Each day, I see any number of students come into the office to write, interview, research, photograph or anything in between. They do all this not because they have to, but because they want to, and that is why the Collegian has existed for 135 years.
I feel honored to call so many people in the Collegian my friends, and I am so glad they welcomed me with open arms (I am not sure I would have stuck around if they hadn’t).
Today, I feel like a better version of myself than I did before I found the Collegian. While I know that sounds cliche and dramatic, I believe it is true. Through my role as Head of Public Relations, I have become more outgoing and found myself more passionate about campus and local issues.
Above all, I am certain the friends I have made along the way have made me a better person. When you are surrounded by a group of people who love and care about what they do, it is nearly impossible not to absorb that energy. Their passion is infectious.
In the years to come, I am excited to see how the Collegian progresses and how new sets of students will transform the paper.
So, thank you to the Collegian and everyone who has been a part of my journey! It would not have been nearly as wonderful without you all.
Nina Prenosil was Head of Public Relations. She can be reached at [email protected]
