I never wanted to be a journalist.
In fact, if you told me four years ago that I would be in love with newspapers, I would genuinely call you crazy. I’m always in love with a variety of things and I had a difficulty choosing my major, so I went safe and chose communications. Although I don’t regret this decision, I can confidently say that working at the Advance-Titan opened completely changed by career path. Four years ago, I walked into the Advance-Titan newsroom as a timid sophomore that had never written a story in my life.
What brought me there was a job posting for web editor that one of my communications professors had posted on Canvas. Broke and intrigued, I took the jump and interviewed to be the web editor for something called the Advance-Titan, which ended up being UW-Oshkosh’s independent student newspaper.
How funny that something so integral in my college career and life was something that I’d never even heard about at the beginning of my college journey? With zero experience, I took on my role as web editor and ended up really enjoying it. Revamping the website and the newsletter satiated my love for graphic design, but that hunger soon returned, and only grew as I went to more meetings.
I was enamored by the electric energy of the newsroom at those meetings. I would watch like a spectator as all of the editors and staff writers would throw story ideas around, share new information and speak in hushed tones about secrets slipped under the door.
Feeling like I was missing out on something special, it didn’t take long before I decided I wanted off the sidelines and in on the action.
I started participating in meetings and writing stories, and a fire was lit within me that I haven’t been able to put out since. Before I knew it, I was the opinion editor the next year, and am now the arts and culture editor — though not for long.
I couldn’t believe it. I was writing all my own stories, taking all of my own photos, creating my own graphics, and laying it all out on Adobe InDesign? For the first time ever, my future became clear. I always thought that I would have to do each of these careers separately, but I found a home in journalism where I could combine all the things I love. Not only that, but I found a home with a group of hilarious, crazy, hard-working and talented people.
To my sweet Suzy: keep writing that sex column! Your ingenuity, authenticity and confidence truly inspires me, and I could not be more grateful for our friendship. You have grown so much, and I can’t wait for you to take over my section. It feels great to leave knowing the arts and culture section is in good hands, and I can’t wait to see how you make the section your own. If I had any advice, it would be to just keep being you. I can’t wait to continue being besties!
Vlad, you’re going to be a great editor-in-chief. You are one of the smartest and strongest people I know, and I can’t wait to see what your future holds. Thank you for always making me laugh, and for being a shoulder to cry on. And for your rides back from the A-T! I know next year will be a lot, but if there’s anyone who can do it, it’s you. Ballerina Cappuccino.
To my wonderful staff writers, Natalia and Ana, thank you times a million. Going from writing my own stories every week to having both of you to rely on for stories every week has genuinely been life-changing. You are both such amazing, reliable writers and I couldn’t ask for a better team. Natalia — you are so fun, sweet and hard-working. Ana — you are so tenacious, kind and funny. I can’t wait to see what you both do at the A-T, and for our friendship to blossom outside of the workplace.
Zach — thank you for always clocking me. You are truly so funny, and I always appreciate your honesty. It’s been fun sitting next to you this semester.
Jacob — Wow. We’re the last of a generation, and I can’t believe we’ve been working together for four years. You are a great leader, and so incredibly funny. I can’t wait to see you take on the journalism world, both print and broadcast. Thanks for being a great editor-in-chief.
To everyone else — thank you for the memories. I’ve had so much fun hanging out with you guys every Tuesday.
After four years of equal parts stress and fun every Tuesday, I truly don’t know what I’ll do on Tuesdays any more. I might have to join a Tuesday-only circus to help me wean off. But seriously, the A-T will always hold an incredibly special place in my heart. Thank you for all of the memories. This is your arts and culture editor signing off.
