When I read a book, I wholeheartedly absorb its contents. The characters come alive in people I know and the emotions of the main character fill my soul to the brim. It’s a strange feeling to realize you’re emitting emotions based on the plot of a book. Perhaps this is why reading and writing is so very therapeutic for me. Sometimes I’ll be telling someone how I feel through a text and only then do I fully understand my emotions. I was dubbed a master in animal science at Oklahoma State on May 12th and 18 days later I nabbed the title of assistant editor for the Angus Journal. When I arrived at Angus Media the only label I wanted was that of “writer, journalist.” I never expected to find so much joy in other genres of the communications world.
At school nobody ever talks about leaving your first job, one that you love and thrived at. Panelists don’t discuss the teary good-bye between you and the coworkers who invaded your life like a catchy melody. Leaving one great job for another is the type of agony only reserved for a few instances in life. I am one of the lucky ones who got an incredible boss in my first professional endeavor. She quite literally armed me with a camera and sent me out into the world. It was daunting at first, but now I see those 20,000 miles for what they truly were. With each mile my introverted shell began to cave in. Talking to strangers is no easy task me, but it’s something I’m growing into and I have Julie to thank for that.
One day when I look back on my career, the Angus Journal will be at the root of any success I find. I showed up as a college graduate with aspirations to be a writer, but I am leaving as a well-rounded communicator. When professors tell you that you’ll never stop learning the soft skills of this industry, they certainly weren’t kidding. I never expected to be semi-skilled in social media management, photography or video production and editing. No, I wanted to be a writer and that was it. That would’ve been the safest, easiest route. I’ll always be thankful for the people of Angus Media who challenged me to reach for more, who wouldn’t let me be content with just doing what I already knew. It’s an invaluable experience to find people like that; hold on to them even if you’re changing cities. Kacey Musgraves said it best in her song Happy + Sad, “Is there a word for the way that I’m feelin’ tonight? Happy and sad at the same time.” Here’s to chapter two of post-graduation life!