Collegian a great opportunity to expand college experience

And I remembered. I did hate it. And I did want to quit.

The Collegian can be a very intimidating place for new people. My first semester, I felt as though each person who worked here was friends with everyone else and I was the only person who knew nobody. I saw the same people there all of the time -- it was like they were addicted to being at the Collegian. I then vowed that if I didn't quit first, I would never become one of those people.

Well, three years later, I haven't quit, and I think I've become one of "those people."

I would probably regret nothing more in my life right now than if I would have quit working at the Collegian that first semester. It has been an extremely rewarding experience, one that I can hardly believe will be coming to a close in five months. Yes, I have felt very frustrated at times. And yes, I did feel awkward and out of place at others. But I wouldn't trade the things I've done here and the friends I've made for all of the free time in the world.

And I think the vast majority of the people who work with me feel the same. We all complain occasionally and say we wish we were "regular" students, but I don't think we really mean it.

And I've also learned that I may not want to go into reporting after graduation. For that reason, I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about a career in print journalism to work at the Collegian during college. Your experience here will definitely help you decide if you want to pursue a reporting career. It's better to find out now than a couple of months into your new career.

The Collegian has so much to offer to the students who work here. Students who work for the news division can do anything from covering a University Board of Trustees meeting to the Rose Bowl to local elections to a Billy Joel concert. There really is something for everybody.

We are trying to make new members' experiences at the Collegian less intimidating. You don't have to be here so often that you start taking naps on the couch upstairs. You can give as much or as little as you want to the Collegian during your time here.

Anyone who wants to try out to be a reporting candidate can take the test on any one of four dates. The tryout will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 and from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. Grab a blue book, something to write with and head to the Collegian offices in the James Building, 123 S. Burrowes St. The Collegian is on the bottom floor of the building.

We encourage anyone interested to take the test. You don't have to be a freshman or a journalism major. Reporting experience isn't necessary. You learn as you go. If you have any questions about the candidate program, the test or anything about the Collegian, feel free to call 865-1828 and talk to me.

And if reporting isn't your bag, but you still want to be a part of the Collegian, you can apply to be a columnist or editorial cartoonist. Applications for those positions can be found at the front desk in the Collegian office.

The Collegian also has a business division that handles advertising and sales. Students also work on the business division. Anyone interested in that can attend an introductory meeting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 or 4 in 73 Willard. For more information on joining the business division, call 865-2531.

So if you are interested, please give us a try. I promise that after working at the Collegian for a while, it doesn't seem scary at all.