TC News provides valuable life skills

As the semester comes to an end, we all get ready to breathe a sigh of relief knowing another round of classes is behind us and we are that much closer to a degree.
For me, this means I'm one more semester away from graduating. This also means my second and final semester with the TC News.

I'll admit, at first I was a little skeptical about being on the staff of a college newspaper. As a mass communications major, my focus has always been on public relations.
Working on print journalism, aka the newspaper, was not a requirement at my previous college. Plus, I'm not from around here, so I felt ill-equipped to report about the area.
Turns out, I was wrong. There's no better way to familiarize yourself with a community than to research and report its news. You're forced to get out there and talk to people. Not only does this help you gain valuable networking skills but you also make contacts that you may not have otherwise.

Personally, it helped me get an internship I need as a student at A&M. This summer I will be working in the public relations office right here at TC.
All the writing required for the paper has its virtues as well; it can help you become a better communicator and will look great on your resume. I can't think of a job where the experience wouldn't help you.
Okay, maybe a mime, but that's it, seriously.

There will come a time when you will be asked to write something for work, whether it's a performance review, a productivity report or an office newsletter. Remember that pesky TPS report from Office Space?
There will also be a time when the ability to network will come in handy, whether it's dealing with a potential client or customer or just at the office Christmas party.

I've written before that college is the place for you to set the tone for the rest of your life. If you were a wallflower in high school, you can reinvent yourself in college and become the sociable go-getter. If you were the sports guy but always wanted to be a history buff, now's your chance. Reinvention is just a class away, and you're in charge of choosing them.
If you decide to choose the TC News, trust me -- you'll never regret it.