After working on 24 issues of the Banner, I am both sad and proud to say this is my last. My time in college has flown by and I cannot believe I am less than two weeks away from putting on my cap and gown to accept my diploma.
As I started preparing to end my time at this job — one that has meant so much to me over the last two years — I began to realize how much of myself I put into this university, this Newsroom, this publication and my co-workers.
I have spent countless hours and late nights writing, editing and laughing.
Now, my time is coming to a close and I have been forced to think what my post-grad life will look like.
I am relieved and excited to be done with classes, homework and the stress that accompanies college. However, I have realized that I’ve placed my identity in my titles: student and editor-in-chief. Like all upcoming graduates who are involved in campus activities, these titles will no longer apply soon and that might be hard to accept.
While there is nothing wrong with working hard in everything you do and giving your all for something you are passionate about, we have to remember our job titles and what we do is not the entirety of who we are.
We are here to get a degree with the hope of pursuing a job field or career we are passionate about, but we can’t let these titles define everything about our lives.
Most of us have been students our entire lives and may face an identity crisis when that comes to an end. Others will have to leave their resident adviser positions, their title as student-athletes or their membership to a group or club.
In this workaholic society in which we live, it is often socially acceptable to stay late, choose work over our personal lives and sacrifice meals, time or hobbies to attend to schoolwork or a job. While our schoolwork and jobs are important, the rest of our lives are important, as well.
I put my all into my job and I know that has paid off but I also am now very unsure of who I will be once these titles no longer apply to me.
I do not regret any of the time I spent in the Newsroom but I hope I am not solely known as someone who worked hard on a newspaper in college.
I hope I was someone outside of my job and I hope you will remember to grow those parts of yourself, as well.
Work hard and pay your dues but remember the truths, values and other passions that exist outside of your job.
People won’t remember all the jobs you have had or all the things you did but people remember what you stood for, how you loved others and what you valued outside of your job.
