One of things I love most about being a journalist is that I always get questions.
Each semester, my friends never fail to text me asking about construction happening around campus or why there’s multiple police cars on Greene Street.
I love that part of my role as a journalist is to help people feel more informed. But I would never be where I am as a reporter if I didn’t take initiative and learn the answers to those questions in the first place.
But this concept doesn’t apply to only journalists. Each day, we are faced with a choice: are we going to let the world make its mark on us or are we going to make our mark on the world?
Freshman, you are entering a whole new chapter of your life. Throughout your first few weeks on campus, you’re going to find that USC will meet you halfway.
There will be opportunities where people come to you and ask if you would like to join their club. There will be events where you can meet your new best friends. And there will be career fairs where you can network.
But the best experiences are the ones when you take the initiative to seek them out yourself.
Don’t wait for your new friend on the floor of your dorm to ask you if you would like to grab lunch. Take the first step and ask. Don’t wait for your professor to explain the attendance policy on the first day. Read through the syllabus before you start. And don’t wait for a club to ask you if you would like to attend one of their interest meetings. Reach out to them and ask about how you can join.
Sophomores and juniors, you’re probably thinking, “I have so much time left.” And don’t worry; you still do, but as I embark on my last year at USC, I can tell you it goes by quickly. It’s easy to think, “I’ll just do that next semester.” But next semester eventually won’t be an option.
Seniors, the countdown has started. Pretty soon we’ll be looking back on our last year wondering how it went by so fast. If you’re like me, you’ve already started reflecting on your time at USC. If there are a few last things you want to accomplish, do them now and leave here with no regrets.
Whether it’s taking the initiative to invite someone to grab a cup of coffee or reaching out to a company to ask about internships, I encourage everyone at USC to join me this semester in seeking out opportunities before they find us.
We only have so long at this university, and we might as well make the most of it.
If joining The Daily Gamecock could be your way of taking initiative, fill out an interest form. If there’s any way we can improve in how we are reaching or informing the USC community, submit a tip.