James Loy 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast by the host and guests may or may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Miami University.

Student 

I'm a senior. I'm about to graduate, and I've done a lot of cool things in college.

Student 

I never thought that I was going to be an intramural curler. I never thought that I was going to be the student body president.

Student 

These four years have been the biggest amount of growth I've seen in my entire life.

Meredith Aliff 

It's not just about the academics, but like, what kind of person you turn into, which is super cool.

Olivia Patel 

I think the expectation of graduating and suddenly entering your dream job is just nuts, like nothing in life comes easy, and I think these last four years have taught me that in every capacity, so when I graduate, I expect the exact same. Going from the small fish in a big pond to the reverse. And if I have to start off small somewhere, so be it. I'm happy for the progression, and I'm happy to work hard to get to the things I love, which now, as a senior in college, I feel like I've--

Michaela 

--progressing that is such a great point. Yes, absolutely. And like, that's a lot about what we talk about on this podcast is like learning how you're going to grow from a freshman to a senior and all those experiences in between, and how that kind of cultivates your college experience. And so yeah, that's kind of what we talk about on this podcast. This is Major Insight. My name is Michaela Buck, and who are you?

Olivia Patel 

Hi, I'm Olivia Patel. I'm a senior here at Miami University, studying Journalism and Political Science with a minor in Classical Studies. First and foremost, I would consider myself the Editor-In-Chief of the Miami student. Very big part of my life, very big role that I serve on campus. But outside of that, I'm a general member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. I've, in the past, been in the Ski and Snowboard club. I have done stuff for MUF&D and UP Magazine, I'm big reader. I love, like, classic novels, which is super dorky, but--

Michaela 

 Not at all.

Olivia Patel 

it's like, my secret thing, yeah well that's me.

Michaela 

Yeah, you're incredibly involved. I love that. That's so cool. How did you kind of come to choosing your majors, or kind of finding the journalism, political science fusion?

Olivia Patel 

Yeah, I love this question, because I feel like, especially with my classical studies minor, it's so not traditional, but in a weird way, it's like what Miami intends you to find. So I came to college knowing I wanted to do journalism. I mean, like my whole high school, it was always journalism. I think in fifth grade, there's like, a little video clip of me with a microphone being like, Hi, my name is Olivia, and I'm, like, giving you the weather or something. So it's always been journalism. And when I applied to Miami and got in, they were like, that's great, but our journalism program requires a double major, and so my senior year of high school, I got really involved in my government class. I think it was just called American Government. But I really loved the teacher. And I saw that as something I could get into. And I talked to people at Miami, and they were like, that's a great double lots of people do it. It's a good focus. And I was like, Great, let's go. And I ended up loving both of them. This cool story is my classical studies minor. So if anyone's not familiar with classical studies, it's like Greek and Roman culture. It kind of brought me to a passion I didn't know I had. And honestly, when I've applied to jobs or internships in the past, they've been that was always like, a prominent question they would ask me about, like, why do you have this that's so cool and so random, I feel like no one studies Latin anymore. So that was, it's a fun bonus.

Michaela 

Yeah, and when I read Classical Studies, I did not know what that was. I'm sure other listeners will love to know what that means.

Olivia Patel 

No, it's super niche. Yeah, it's Greek and Latin language. I only took Latin, but you kind of have to take one track or the other, and then the upper classes are just like culture. So right now, I'm in discoveries and archeology. I've taken, like, ancient religion, Greek mythology, Roman Civ. So, yeah.

Michaela 

And I feel like that's all very well rounded information too, that you can kind of take into wherever path you go totally. And we have such similar stories, except kind of flipped, like I knew I want to do political science coming into school. And actually got my inspiration from an AP Gov class, similarly. And so I came in guns a blazing, like, I'm going to Washington DC and I'm gonna run for president. And then I picked up journalism only fall semester my junior year when I was abroad. So that's kind of crazy, yeah. And I agree that political science and journalism together, like, make so much sense, and especially if you want to go into, like, political reporting kind of-- I think you did that this summer in DC, right?

Olivia Patel 

Yes.

Michaela 

And what have you done, kind of, with those majors, or kind of you said you were in DC and London. So can you explore a little bit more about, like, your abroad experiences?

Olivia Patel 

Absolutely. So both of my study away and study abroad experiences were through the political science department, and my friend, her name is Reagan. We have taken, like, all of our poli sci classes together. She's like, my other half in like the poli sci major, and we came to class one day my freshman year of college, and she was like, why don't we go to London next winter? And I was like, immediately, my response was, no. I was like, oh my god, no. Like, I would never do that. That's terrifying. Like, not my thing. And I sat on it over the summer, and I was like, when else am I gonna get this experience to go? I mean, it's kind of a softball for studying abroad. It's with all my professors. It's with students. I know we were staying in like, good accommodations for like, a month, and I was like, this is one of those moments where if I don't choose to push myself here, it's gonna get a lot harder to continue to push myself. And so I went to London the J term of my sophomore year, and it was, I would say, by far, the best experience I've probably had going abroad. And just like being able to do something new, it would be a complete lie to tell you. The whole time was like rainbows and sunshines. I mean, we definitely had our moments where we were sprinting through the rain to get in, like 30 degrees. We went on these long walking tours and it was like 20 degrees, and we were all we were wearing was like a sweater, but it's like we were talking about before, where you can't have every moment go perfectly, because that just isn't realistic. You're not working towards something if everything is just going the way you planned it. And I think that's why I value that experience more than anything, is it taught me how to deal with unexpected circumstances, especially in a place I'm not comfortable with, like, there was nothing more uncomfortable than going to the grocery store and being like, I actually have no idea what any of these brands are. I mean, it's the same stuff. It's just like, can I have some Lay's chips instead of, like, whatever this other foreign brand is? But it's that pushing that really got me to where I am now, where I feel more comfortable to just say yes to things that I know will better me, even if I don't know if I'm going to be okay every five seconds that I'm there, and then from there this past summer. So the summer, going into my senior year, I was in Washington DC, again through the political science department, we did a study away experience. But I also got to take my journalism capstone while I was there. So super good. It dueled as like an internship experience. So I got to intern at Fox News on their digital politics team. Like, fantastic experience. I applaud Miami for this program and for the connections that they help us make. Because I don't know anyone in DC. Like, I've gotten this question a lot since then, where it's like, how did you crack in there? How did you like, know who to talk to, or where to apply, or whatever, and it's like Miami, like I it's truly like my college professors and like the people I relied on, where I'd email them-- be like, do you know anyone who works here, here, here, and the willingness of them to help me is why I got such an amazing experience. But I think college is a great time to push into those like study away, study abroad experiences, because realistically, when else are you going to go and have those experiences? I know you can talk a lot about about that because you were abroad.

Michaela 

I think studying abroad taught me I could do anything. Like seriously you have to deal with so many constant changes and adapting to new cultures, adapting to certain things that might go wrong, like your transportation doesn't come, or your flight gets canceled, or the weather's terrible on a day you're supposed to do a tour, like there is genuinely so many unprecedented circumstances that could happen. So you kind of just have to go with the flow. And I learned so much about independence and just knowing that I am capable, and I feel like I took that back here. And obviously there's in different ways that kind of comes to fruition. But like I attest so many of like my now qualities to doing that. But I want to touch on something I feel like you have made such great connections with your professors, is that something you've made kind of a conscious--

Michaela 

Absolutely--

Michaela 

I feel like you're so good at that, and like, you're staying after class. And I guess, what do you recommend to like other students?

Olivia Patel 

Yeah, I think it's a two tiered system. I mean, one of the reasons I'm so connected is from The Miami Student, because anytime we have a story or I need a contact, I'm reaching out to anyone, any email. I will be in your I will be in your inbox. And I know so many people have said that to me, where it's like, I always see your your name, and it's, it sounds like annoying, but at the same time, I've met a lot of cool people from it, like the provost. It was Liz, but now it's Chris Makarov. Great people like, I've talked to my friends about this, and they're like, how do you just know the provost? Or even people from UCM, like, I It's those connections where I'm just always reaching out for The Miami Student, that people will reach out back to me. Yeah, even the other day, I was in my classical studies class, and my favorite professor was like, came up to my desk and was like, I have a few story ideas I think you guys should work on. And I think that's just such a good connection to have with people, because it's like, you feel like we have this common app. And even he came up to me is like, I have a question about the Cook Field construction, like, can you tell me? And I think people just see that, like, I don't know. We just share, I share something with all these, these people from The Miami Student, as far as connecting through my majors, I think having two majors and a minor is really special, especially in smaller departments, because people just know, like, who you are. So journalism, I think there's like, what 1718 majors, like my professors, care so much about what I do and helping me succeed, that it's just nice to know that I have people like that. Same with poli sci, it's a little bit bigger, but that's how I cracked into like the the Washington landscape, is because they knew my interest and they knew what I wanted to do, and they helped me get there. Classical Studies is definitely another I mean, the only reason I have a classical studies minor is because my professors, like pushed me to do it, which I think is super special, that they recognized my interest before I even knew what they were myself. And then last semester, last spring, I won an award in the Classical Studies Department. It was something. I was like, I remember getting the email, and I was like, really, like, me, yeah. Like, I was and I'm a I'm a good student. Like, don't I'm not gonna, like, sit here and be like, oh, I'm bad. But I was more shocked because I was like, I feel like there are so many people that are so committed to the classics. And I just was like, you know, this is so surprising. And I was talking to my professor. She's retired now. Her name was Deborah Lyons, and she was like, you have formed special connections with everyone in our department like you are the reason classics are alive. Like you're the reason that you know people can like, you're one of the reasons that people are interested in the classics, and I'm just so happy that you we could be a help to that. And I was like, I mean, the only reason I'm here is because of you guys. So it's kind of one of those mutual moments where it's like, beneficial.

Michaela 

And you formed relationships. I feel like that's so important. And then they're willing to be like, here's a story idea. And then when you do have a story, you're like, Can I get a quote from you? Or whatever it is, I feel like it's such a two way street, and that's something I noticed, just through you talking, that it's very clear you care about the connections you make at school. And I just think that's a good tip for students in general, is like, go to those office hours or stay after class to talk to your professor or get to know them, or participate in class. That was something I was scared to do too, like, raising my hand, or, like, I know the answer, like, why am I not raising my hand right now? And I'm just, like, nervous. And then, you know, they kind of grow that respect for you in the classroom. I feel like it's just important to realize that they're people too, and they want to know their students, and they want to help us at that so yeah.

Olivia Patel 

Oh, absolutely. I think my freshman year I was very much like, oh, they're just professors here for a job. I don't want to, like, burden them. Like I don't want to ask too many questions. I don't want to hang around their office hours. They don't want that. And now, you know, three years later, that could not be more far from the truth. I think professors obviously are doing their job for a reason. It's because they care so much about their students. I have literally gone to my professor's office hours just to be like, hey, like how are you doing? It was for a story I was working on for one of my journalism classes. It was like my classical studies professor, Steven Tuck and I went there to interview him for the story, but I ended up just sitting there for like another 30 minutes, and we just talked about, like, his travels and his interests, and he's working on, like, a National Geographic documentary right now. And I was like, awesome. So it was kind of just like one of those things where it's like, you can go to professors with a request, or, like, a need, but also being there just to talk to them like they're definitely there for that, yeah. Like, I've never had a professor be like, Okay. Like, you you got what you want. Are you good? Like, you know, get out. Like, it's never true. It's never been that way. No, no. They're always like, Oh, how's The Miami Student? How's this, how's that?

Michaela 

And I feel like that position in particular, like being the editor now, has allowed you so many opportunities. So can you just, like, touch on that, and just kind of how, maybe even you got there, like, your journey, the positions you had prior, and then, like, kind of where you're at now, and what you do?

Olivia Patel 

Yeah, absolutely. So I joined the Student my freshman year in like, October, I got to Miami, heard about the Student. Knew it was something I wanted to do, but I was very intimidated to get into it, because the Miami Student has this insane legacy of just being the best college newspaper, and I'll touch on that a little bit a little bit later, but I was intimidated, and even though I had worked at my county newspaper, I interned at my county newspaper the summer going into college, I still didn't feel like hot stuff. So I was, I was worried, I was intimidated, and I went, I had a personal meeting with the campus and community editor at the time. His name was Sean Scott, and I sat down, and I was like, it's like, I have all this experience, and I'm really good at journalism, and I have these these clips. And I wore, like, a nice outfit, and he was sitting there in his sweatshirt and jeans, and he was like, we don't, you're good. Like, we take anyone. And I was like, really, like, okay. And the first story I wrote, I got my, like, draft back, and there, I think there was 76 edits on the whole thing. And it was, like, rainbow colored because, like, they had made so many edits on it. And I was like, I am not worthy. It was literally, like, humiliating.

Michaela 

Yeah, imposter syndrome to the max.

Olivia Patel 

It's like something you thought you were, you know, your high school English teachers are like, you're the best, you're the best. And I was like, I am the worst. So I did the edits, I submitted the story. I kind of was like, I'll be lucky if I even see this on the website, much less the print. And it was so we print on Fridays. It was Friday morning, and the one of the campus and community editors at the time, her name's Alice, texted me and was like, pick up a paper today. Wink. And I was like, oh yeah. Like, Oh, you know, I'll get I'll grab a copy. And I went into Armstrong and my story was on the front page. Stop, my first story I ever wrote for the Student. And like, I remember, I was just gleaming, grinning from ear to ear. I was like, oh my God. Like, so, like, it was such a surreal moment. It was like, it's such a cool story, because it's like, it's like, it's like everything we've been talking about, like you have to get cut down before you can realize, like you're actually good at what you do. And I think any journalist will tell you this, who works, anyone who works at the Student or beyond, but there's just no rush, like, seeing your story make it in a prominent spot, and there's just, like, something that you just want to keep doing. And I was from that moment, I was absolutely hooked. I wrote all the time. I wrote the most insane stories I took on the city council beat like any story they pitched to me. I was just grabbing them up. I was obsessed. I loved it my sophomore year. Then in that fall, I was promoted to an assistant campus and community editor, so pretty lowly, but I got to do some editing stuff, and Casey Terman, who was running for Editor-In-Chief that spring, contacted me and was like, hey, I think you'd make a great Managing Editor, which is like, if for anyone who doesn't know, it's like, President, Vice President, and so the President or the Editor-in-Chief has to run, but he picked me as his Managing Editor, which was like, I was like, why? And like, I was like, honored, and I was very excited, but I kind of was scared out of my wits, like I was like, this is not something I'm ready for, and it's like we've been talking about, I took a chance. I didn't ask questions of like, am I going to be able to do this every day? Is nothing ever going to go wrong? I knew that this is something that I would not regret, and lo and behold, it obviously wasn't. It was a lot of work, and it was my first taste of working in like, a very professional setting, but it helped me land my second professional internship at Milwaukee Magazine last summer. Great experience. Like it really taught me how to be a student leader and just how to be a leader in general. But going through that, it was a ton of work. We produced the paper every other Wednesday, and we worked from like six till like midnight in the newsroom. Just on those that Wednesday, wow, but that whole week that we before we print the paper is just like, all the time on and after doing that for a year as managing editor, I was like, glad that's over. And Casey was like, are you not gonna run for Editor-in-Chief? And I was like, no, I think I got my, I think I got my my kick, or I got my my taste of being in charge. And then he said, would you really be comfortable walking away? Because, if I wasn't running for Editor in Chief, I really wouldn't be anything at the newspaper. I would probably have gone back to just being a reporter, which, don't get me wrong, it's like I said before, I love just taking stories and writing them. That's what I'm good at. But I was like, I care about this student newspaper more than anything on campus. Like, this is where I found my purpose. It's where I found the people that understand my professional goals. It's where I found what I wanted to do with my life. And I was like, there's no way I could just walk away and like, not have a say in like, what's running and how things are going. So I ran for Editor-In-Chief this past March, won, and then I picked Anna Ryer, who's journalism and diplomacy and global politics. It was one of those moments again, where it's like, I don't know if this is going to go well, and I don't know if this is what I want to do. There are probably going to me nights where I'm absolutely kicking myself for doing this, but I just, I have to jump like I have to do it, and I did, and I've I have not regretted it since it's been a boatload of work, and it feels like a full time job sometimes. But it also is probably the most rewarding thing to have a college newspaper that I'm so proud of and so happy to be a part of under like my name, yeah, and like what I was saying about our awards. This past spring, we won the best college newspaper in region four, which is Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. We won best college newspaper in Ohio, and we won best collegiate website in region four, which is those four states, and best collegiate website by the Ohio News Media Association. And then coming up on September 30 is our greater Cincinnati awards, and we're up for the best newspaper for that too. So if we win that, that's a clean sweep of every Ohio award. And to me that's like, I know awards sometimes I think, like, awards are just paper and like, I'd rather be more satisfied with the work we do, like, within the newspaper, but it really is a testament to the hard work that everyone puts in at the newspaper. And that's just such an insane thing to be a part of, because I know that these people care about it the way I do.

Michaela 

One of, like, the funny stories I have just quickly is I signed up for Miami Student at Mega fair my freshman year, and, like, never got off the email list. So I get emails from you, like-

Olivia Patel 

-- I knew it because I have the whole contact list.

Michaela 

I'm like oh, my gosh, Olivia Patel and I just love reading, though it has nothing to do with me either, like, literally not a movie. I look forward to them every week. I'm like, this is awesome. Okay, kind of just to wrap things up, do you what would you tell your freshman year self? What is something you wish she knew coming to Miami, or just honestly, could be a tip, a piece of advice, any sort of thing?

Olivia Patel 

I would tell her, slow down. Wait, good things are coming. It's so, so hard to enter a new environment and just instantly see the finish line. I got to Miami. I had no idea what my direction was. All I knew was I like, my majors. I was like, I liked the people I was hanging out with, but I was like, Are these my friends? Are these my bridesmaids? Are these my forever friends? Yeah. Like, it's that panic of like, well, I heard everything so great, like, whatever, the best four years of your life. And I was like, so much pressure when I first got to school. I was like, I don't feel like this is going to be that way. And it's so funny how wrong I was, because it just turned out to be such an amazing different like path that I took that I could have never predicted, especially with being Editor-In-Chief at the Student, especially with my two study abroad, three way experiences interning at Fox this summer, like it was just I would never in a million years have been able to see that from where I was freshman year. And I think that's honestly what's really special about going to college is like you think you're so certain about life. You think you're so certain about who you are and the people you want to be with and the career you want to pursue. And college pretty much turns out up on its on its rear end, and that, to me, is the best part about going to college and taking a jump. So for any of the listeners that are considering taking a safe route when going to college, I would 100% encourage you not to, especially because settling now earlier in your life is going to create, like, a pattern of settling. And I couldn't be more thankful that I've taken the jumps that I have, because seriously, sitting in this chair, I feel like I can do anything in the world. And I like, that sounds so cliche, but I just have never felt more confident in like the person I am and like the things I can do, and that's because of the decisions I made throughout college.

Michaela 

Yeah, and I feel like you've taken advantage of every single thing that college has to offer, and like you're such an embodiment of the college experience. Truly, like, I love the fact that you can join anything, or you can be anything, or join a club, and kind of just like, reinvent yourself, almost when you get to school. And people should remember that that like you can do anything you want, as long as, like, you are determined enough to do it.

Olivia Patel 

I feel like I've told so many people this, especially in the last few months, when they're like, you're so lucky you got to intern at Fox, you're so lucky, you're so-- it's so insane. And I'm like, but when I came to college, me and anyone else, we were the exact same, right? I had the same playing field. My resume was a blank sheet. I had nothing, nothing going there's no it's not like, I know all these people are like, I'm like, a nepo baby of like, whatever, like, I cannot, like, cannot emphasize this enough, everyone comes to college with a clean slate. And it's important to realize that if you want to work at Fox News, if you want to get that job in the White House or do something cool, go to med school, go to dent school, like whatever, you have to put in the work, and you have to want it, because you are no different than the people around you, like I am. Not special. Like, I didn't like, I didn't magically get this. No, there was, there's-- I personally don't believe in luck. Like, I feel like you've got to do what you want to get to the places you want to be. And I know so many of my friends who have gotten cool internships or, like, cool jobs, that they've already gotten return offers for. It's like, you look at them, you're like, that makes sense, because you worked so hard for that and you want you wanted it, yeah, it's not like anyone handed it to you.

Olivia Patel 

And I think it starts back to our conversation. It starts as like an easy conversation with your professor after class. Make your face known, make people know who you are, because you are important, even though you may feel like the smallest person in the world when you get to college, and if you start that passion for whatever early, and you trip and fall 1000 times and find yourself to the finish line one way or another, like you will be set you like you are already miles ahead of every single other person who gets to college. And it's kind of like, these next four years are going to be a breeze.

Olivia Patel 

I mean, even this podcast, like this is just such a great way to get involved and do something cool. Like, yeah, it's so like, it's so awesome. Like, it's so fun to be on here and like, see the cool things you've done, and, like, talk about, like, other students that have been on this podcast before because it's like, it's not a rarity of like, one or two people. Like, I have met so many cool people at Miami that have just done such amazing things. And I'm like, I'm so proud of you. Yeah, I love that.

Michaela 

 Yeah, especially, like you said on this podcast, like the students, I get to meet you for a perfect example. But everyone comes on, it's like such different, unique path, totally all crafted perfectly to that, because they put the work in when they got to school. And I think that's, yeah, it's so true. You just have to put yourself out there and make your face known. Like you said.

Olivia Patel 

Yep, I think there's nothing truer than like you come to college with a clean slate, make it what you want.

Michaela 

So true. And with that, thank you. Olivia Patel.

Olivia Patel 

Thank you. I'm so happy to be here.

Michaela 

Dude. You're sick. You're so well spoken.

Olivia Patel 

Really. Okay, good.

Michaela 

I'm feeling inspired.

Olivia Patel 

Good.

Michaela 

Seriously.

Michaela 

Olivia Patel is studying Journalism, Political Science and Classical Studies at Miami University, where she's also the Editor-In-Chief of The Miami Student, which is one of the oldest student run newspapers in the country. And thank you for listening to Major Insight, many more stories, advice and inspiration are always available wherever podcasts are found.