Penn State can be a very big place.

Distinguishing between the hundreds of brown brick campus buildings, navigating the dirt pathways that arbitrarily connect them, finding your way around the downtown side streets and deciding which campus eateries or downtown restaurants to frequent is not a task for the faint of heart.

Even those who have already spent semesters getting their bearings on- and off-campus can return to find new buildings, new businesses and even more new people.

It's enough to make anyone want to cry into their Penn State paraphernalia.

But don't despair, we can help.

I'd like to introduce (or re-introduce, for all of you who are already familiar with us) your newspaper, The Daily Collegian. You can find us from Monday through Friday in newsstands on campus, outside our headquarters, the James Building, and of course, on the Web at www.collegian.psu.edu.

If you read us, we guarantee you'll be able to talk campus issues with ease, know the latest developments in Penn State athletics, locate your borough council and state representatives and gain entry to see the coolest bands and galleries. Plus, every Thursday, we tuck Venues, our arts magazine, inside the paper to keep you in touch with the creative juices flowing through State College and guide your weekends.

We are dedicated (and often under-appreciated) group of undergraduates who get a thrill from finding the news first and then relaying it to you. We take our journalism duties very seriously. We publish thousands of copies each day; we give a voice to the voiceless; we hold officials accountable; we show different facets of an issue; we expose problems and we catalyze change.

Of course, the profession isn't perfect and neither are all its members, but it's a powerful calling that exercises our most important right as American citizens.

Where can you sign up, you ask?

Aspiring reporters: Come to the James Building, 123 S. Burrowes St., at 6 p.m. Thursday or 3 p.m. Friday with a bluebook and a pencil. You can call news adviser John Harvey or myself at 865-1828 if you have any questions.

If you'd rather influence the Penn State community through The Collegian's editorial page, pick up an application at The Collegian's front desk to be a weekly columnist. You can contact opinion page editor Erin Prah at the same number with any questions.

And if you aren't the commitment type, sound off on our articles and editorials by submitting your own opinion letter to collegianletters@psu. edu.

Still aren't convinced?

This is your chance to see your name in print (and not for making the high school honor roll or getting named in the police blotter). Your chance to hear different opinions, voice your own and be a part of our decision-making process. It's your chance to learn invaluable writing, creativity, time management and communication skills. Your chance to document Penn State history from the front lines while watching the homecoming parade with President Spanier or interviewing Four Diamonds families on the Thon dance floor or talking game strategy with JoePa.

Penn State can be a really big place. Make it smaller by finding your niche.

Devon Lash is a senior majoring in journalism and history and is The Daily Collegian's editor in chief. Her e-mail address is dlash@psu.edu.