When I first came to college, I wasn’t sure if journalism was the right career path for me. I didn’t feel like much of a writer. But, after joining The Daily Texan, I quickly realized that journalism can be so much more than just writing. Although I’m still unsure where this degree will take me, I know the skills I learned from the Texan will be with me.

Coming to UT two years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know what classes to take, or what clubs to join. But my older sister, who was in her final semester at UT at the time, said to apply for as many organizations as possible my freshman year because I’d probably get rejected from most of them anyway. With this in mind, I decided to apply for The Daily Texan. There were so many different departments that I was sure one of them would interest me. I finally landed on the social media department and went through the application process, but I didn’t really expect to be accepted. I mean, before this, I had never even posted on Twitter. But, I was surprised to see that I would be a social media staffer that semester. I’d like to thank the editors that hired me, Sarah and Bernice, because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

After that first year on social media staff, I grew fond of social media journalism and knew it was something I wanted to continue to pursue. And I started to truly appreciate journalism in general because I really respected the work that everyone on the Texan put out. Being a part of the Texan made me finally start to value my major, and instead of constantly thinking about what I should change my major to, I realized that my journalism classes were actually interesting. 

Though I still have uncertainty about what I want to do with my future, I’m now confident that I’m going in the right direction. Being at The Daily Texan has given me the confidence to post tweets for an audience of over 65,000 people. It has even given me the confidence to run an entire social media department, which freshman year me would have never thought could be possible. I’d like to thank Trinity for believing in me and encouraging me to apply to be a social media editor. I don’t know if I would have ever even considered being in this position if it weren’t for you so I am forever grateful to you. Thank you for answering my endless questions and always being approachable and supportive.

I would also like to thank my wonderful p-staff this summer for making my job so much easier. 

Adrita, you were the best associate editor I could ask for. I don’t know anyone else who would be so dedicated to willingly come to a Zoom meeting even though it was at 4 a.m. their time because they were overseas. Your commitment to putting out great and creative work is inspiring and I’m so lucky I got to meet you.

Carla, thank you for being the best senior digital designer ever. You make all our content shine and our social media would be nowhere without you. And the Brat post will always be iconic.

And Newton, thank you for being the most ambitious and excellent senior digital staffer this summer. There’s no one I’d rather make Instagram reels with, and I know you will do the social department proud this fall. 

In fact, I have to thank my entire social media staff. Thank you guys for being so hard working throughout the summer. It was a pleasure to work with all of you and watch you grow. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.

Of course, I have to thank my family. Thank you for being there through all the rejections and acceptances and mistakes and triumphs. Thank you for always believing in me and motivating me to be the best version of myself.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone at the Texan that I’ve worked with for being nothing but kind, supportive and enthusiastic people. The work ethic and passion at the Texan is truly contagious and I’m glad I got to involve myself with such a remarkable group of students these past two years.

It’s hard to let go of something that I’ve been with my entire college career thus far, but I’m grateful for all the memories I have from my time at the Texan and I’m now ready for my next journey.

Right after I make a Twitter post for this column.