Last updated on February 3, 2015
To be frank, I had no inkling to become the editor-in-chief of this school’s newspaper. I was asked to apply for the position because I became a surprisingly active and constant member in the club under the previous editor’s reign.
I really did not want to be the boss due to all that pressure to perform and keep on top of everything and be the figurehead to the other club members. The thought of myself in that leadership role made me shiver. My heart sank with apprehension when I was hired for the job.
I passed the most basic qualifications, but I had no knowledge about newspapers, how they were run or how I was supposed to run one. I was petrified.
Do you know how many people beside myself applied for the editor’s position? Zero. There was no option B.
There are two possible explanations for why that was. One, nobody knew that the position was available for application or two, they knew but nobody wanted the job.
Do not get me wrong; I do not regret applying and having the position I have. I am so thankful for this opportunity that has caused me to grow, learn and experience things I never imagined would happen in my life.
However when I began to wrap my mind around the concept of little ole’ me becoming the confident, organized and decisive editor The Settler needed, I was reeling from the unreality of it.
“Never be afraid to fail. Failure is only a stepping-stone to improvement. Never be overconfident because that will block your improvement,” said Tony Jaa.
My job keeps me busy and is often stressful, but I would not trade it for the simpler life I had before. Now I’ve gotten a taste of the business and it’s given me a new perspective on how I can make a difference.
This experience has helped me develop useful skills and allowed me to meet and connect with more people. It was a scary transition for a wallflower like me, but it was unmistakably worth it.
I was afraid to take this job and adjusting to my position and responsibilities was a bit rocky, but if I had to do it all again, knowing what I know now, I would still take the job.
“I would rather regret the things I have done than the things I have not,” said Lucille Ball.
Last spring semester there was also an opportunity for students to apply for positions for the Student Government Association (SGA). There was only one candidate for each of the positions. The cabinet ran unopposed and inevitably was given the positions.
The president we have now was the only one who applied, and it may look to some, that she was the only one who cared about doing something through the SGA.
There are plenty of students at Vol State, but apparently only an extremely small percentage is interested in participating and leading student clubs and organizations.
“If you’re not actively involved in getting what you want, you don’t really want it,” said Peter McWilliam.
There are avenues for excellence in every corner of this campus.
The Honors Program, Service Learning club, Squatter’s Rites publication, SGA and so many more are available and always looking for more members.
Supplemental Instruction, Leanring Commons and Language Center have hiring opportunities.
I encourage you to take the initiative. You’re not selling your soul to do so. Just try it.
Let our student body not be comprised of individuals suffering from the bystander effect. If nobody ever steps up to the plate, then nothing extraordinary and noteworthy will be talked about or appreciated.
“I’ve always had confidence. It came because I have lots of initiative. I wanted to make something of myself,” said Eddie Murphy.
There are opportunities all over this campus to go the extra mile and accomplish something that needs to be done, though few wish for the responsibility.
Take the initiative, you don’t know what can be discovered, invented or enhanced. Who knows how many people you could affect by stepping up and doing what needs to be done?
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover,” said Mark Twain.
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