When I first came to Penn State, I was thrown into a world that was very different than what I had left behind in Pittsburgh.

The student population at my tiny, Catholic high school was less than 500. My boyfriend of four years was what felt like a million miles away in West Virginia. All I could imagine about college, I found at Penn State in those first few weeks.

I felt like I had reached a new universe and I immersed myself in all of it -- the fraternity parties, the commons meals, the football games, a few classes. Everyone goes through this. We move into our new homes, and we think, "this is it, this is being independent." I thought I had already reached my college pinnacle, that I had it all figured out; I'd go to class, learn a few things, marry my high school sweetheart, then head off to the real world and be an anchor on CNN -- no problem.

Something changed all that in a matter of minutes. I trekked down to The Daily Collegian office and tried out to be a reporter; for some reason they accepted me. So I began in the program that readies young journalists for the "professional world."

After three years of putting out this newspaper every day, my college career -- not to mention my life --
has taken such a different route
than I could have ever expected.

How things change.

Earlier in May, I watched Melody Miller, a press spokeswoman for the Kennedy family since the 1960s and a Penn State graduate. This was a woman who had worked with all of the Kennedys through all of their indiscretions, marriages, friendships, heartaches -- she saw it all.

She had such a presence, standing there in front of more than 150 Penn State administrators and faculty. She told stories about her professional and friendly relationship with Robert Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr. and the "little ones" as she called them, the future leaders of the Kennedy family.

One of the most interesting things she said though wasn't a top-secret tidbit about the lives of the politicians with whom she worked for 30 years. It was common knowledge.

Get involved, she said. Start early and get involved in something -- anything.

This bit of advice -- coming from a woman who started her political involvement and career while still in high school -- carries a lot of weight. Maybe her life would be much different if she hadn't taken the initiative to do something with her life early on.

Penn State is a very large institution and it is easy to get lost, but there are so many outlets through which to learn and experience new things. You may find out that by simply joining a certain club that you love or hate your major.

The Collegian is looking for motivated people with a drive to inform and facilitate change our community. I encourage anyone who is interested to stop in our office on South Burrowes Street tomorrow and Wednesday and check it out. We have positions for reporters and columnists. Take a look at our ad in today's paper that explains the specifics. If you have any questions call the office and someone will be able to help you (865-1828).

You never know where the road may take you -- the small trip down to the Collegian office can take you very far.

It looks as though I will be graduating in one year (gasp); the high school sweetheart, well, I haven't talked to him in three years; and CNN, with the way this economy is working, I'm just hoping to actually get a job after graduation.

One simple decision has taken my life in a direction I never could have imagined. It has been the most rewarding road trip I have ever traveled.