Madina Seytmuradova
Staff Writer
I have always thought there is nothing worse for an anxious introvert like myself than having to talk to people I do not know. Yet, as a Tropolitan writer, that is what I did on a weekly basis.
My first article was a 300-word news piece on a Mortar Board chapter in Troy that Grishma Rimal, then news editor and my good friend, asked me to write while we were waiting for sandwiches at Boar’s Head. I agreed very reluctantly, but it was the best decision of my college career.
Turns out having to approach people you don’t know is crippling but having a legitimate reason to do so frees you from wondering if they want to talk to you or not (they don’t) and gives you specific talking points.
Because of this job, I spoke to people as different as aged pilot record-setters to athletes to business owners. You don’t get that kind of variety of voices anywhere else on campus.
Moreover, journalism is a boot camp for any aspiring writer. You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to write every week, which gets you into the habit of doing so. This has also been invaluable to me.
So, it seems for an introvert like myself, there really was no better way to grow as a person and writer than being a Trop reporter.
