During the fall and spring semesters of my sophomore year I applied to be a columnist for The Daily Collegian. And both times I was flat-out rejected, not even worthy of an interview for the job.

I want to be an opinion writer someday, and after getting denied the second time I figured my future was hopeless. If I couldn't get into a college newspaper, how could I one day write for a national one?

But I enjoyed writing way too much to simply throw my hands up and quit. That's why I spent the entire summer of 2006 writing column after column and having my brother critique them. He was the editor in chief of Millersville University's student newspaper at the time and is a former Collegian reporter. He brings just a bit of credibility to the table.

With his help, my writing improved quickly and I once again applied for a columnist position last semester figuring I'd finally make it.

But when I walked into Collegian headquarters in the James Building and scanned the list of fall columnists, I found it lacked my name. I stared at the Zach Good-less piece of paper stapled to the bulletin board for about 30 seconds, thinking maybe it was one of those Magic Eye posters and my name would eventually come into focus.

It didn't, and for the third time I was back at square one - a career path, the determination, and no outlet to gain experience. I could either accept the fact that my future is a sham or find a way to the top on my own.

Recalling the words of poet William Blake, I had to "create a system or be enslaved by another man's."

It was with this mentality that I created my own Web site where I could post my own my columns. I even printed copies of some of my columns and handed them out to passersby at the Allen Street Gates in order to draw attention to my site.

In retrospect, I risked making a complete idiot of myself and finding out from my peers that my writing was no good. I didn't care much, however. I really needed to find out if I was headed down the wrong career path.

After I got through handing out my first stack of columns on Allen Street, I walked home and found a couple e-mails from students who read my column.

Great. One day into my future profession and I was already receiving hate mail.

But surprisingly enough, when I opened them I mainly found compliments. People remarked that my writing was decent and that they even agreed with my viewpoints.

I finally felt vindication in my quest toward becoming an opinion writer.

Since then my Web site has steadily been receiving hits. During one week in early December alone it recorded 500 visitors. Not bad, huh?

The point I'm trying to make is not that I'm something particularly spectacular; in fact, I'm really not, nor do I think I am. But I want you to understand that you're never confined to what life gives you. It's possible to go far even if it's not through the conventional means.

That doesn't mean it'll just come to you, though. In order to accomplish your goals you'll need to work hard and, in some cases, not be afraid of public humiliation.

Denied of that software engineering internship? Study and create a computer program you believe would be useful to others.

Miss six of 13 field goals as a kicker your senior year of college? Brush up on your accuracy and help your NFL team to the Super Bowl while becoming an All-Pro in the process. If Robbie Gould can do it, you can too.

So if you're reading this column on the Collegian's Opinion Page, then you know my fourth attempt at applying for a columnist position was successful.

Look at my staff picture. That smile is my way of telling you that I finally made it.

But you know what? I already made it anyway.