I wanted to join the Daily Bruin before coming to UCLA to escape from my materials engineering classes and immerse myself into Los Angeles via journalism.

I applied as a photographer because I took a photography class in high school, but I secretly wanted to become a writer.

However, when I wrote an article for the Quad about how socialization in school changed after the pandemic, I was disappointed when my piece was edited down to surface-level observations instead of nuanced analysis.

Thankfully, Photo inspired me to stay in The Bruin. I would receive the tap-tap-tap notification sound from Slack with one of my Photo editors asking if I had the time to take a shoot, and even though I felt like I was drowning in my coursework, the people-pleaser in me said, “Yes.”

And every time, I was glad afterward. Each photoshoot connected me with strangers and gave me a new perspective in life. Ironically, by adding a photoshoot to my schedule, I felt less stressed and still always got everything done.

Photo was the highlight of my freshman year. Ashley Kenney, my Photo editor/mom (who told me I had to mention her if I wrote a -30- column), created a section that was voted both the Best Section and the Most Lit. Our socials made me feel loved and connected at a time when my life felt otherwise lonely.

It was a no-brainer that I wanted to apply to be an assistant Photo editor. But right before applications, Ashley told me, “You know what I think you’d be really good at? Podcasts editor.”

Podcasts was a new section splitting off from Video, and no one was applying for the top position. Despite the fact that I had never made a podcast in my life, my editors thought my social personality could fit the role.

I applied and got the position.

One of the first podcasts I helped record was The Transfer Take. Three students talked about what inspired them to transfer. One guy said he worked a grocery store closing shift during community college and was furious at himself after he realized he forgot to submit a sociology quiz in his favorite class, which was the moment he realized he needed to commit to college.

It was that moment when I thought, “This is what I want to do.” I wanted to hear people’s stories and share them.

Podcasts allowed me to create long-form content that could delve into the nuances of individual experiences in a way that written news articles couldn’t. Podcasts truly felt like the right section for me to be in.

But my sophomore year, I spread myself too thin. I hired too many people and started too many podcasts that didn’t finish. I made podcasts I was really proud of, but I felt like I let other podcasters down when they were not able to create an episode at the end of the year.

I became depressed. I loved the work, but between my engineering classes, other club responsibilities and the Daily Bruin, I had no time to socialize.

I knew I wanted to become an editor my sophomore year so I could focus on my career during my last two years of college. I quit the Daily Bruin for the remainder of college, but I look back with fond memories.

I took Abbe Goldman’s – the Daily Bruin faculty advisor’s – class, Communication 191E: Writing on Deadline, for fun. It was one of the best classes I took at UCLA, which taught me the fundamentals of writing and editing. I now know about passive voice, opening clauses, editorializing and more. I cannot recommend this class more to anyone.

I learned many lessons from my time in the Daily Bruin. Below are a couple of them.

1. There are always multiple sides to every story. This is an obvious lesson but one The Bruin reinforced.

2. Approach with curiosity, not judgment.

3. I am more than just my work. Success is meaningless if I’m unhappy.

4. There is always more work to do. Choose (good) people.

5. Passive voice is when the object comes before the subject in a phrase.

6. Journalism (done right) is hard. Being an editor for The Bruin was harder for me than being an engineering student.

7. Concision is king.

8. Fun story: At an editor retreat, I classified everyone into four categories: funny (people who generate humor themselves), reflective funny (people who aren’t funny themselves but can bounce back humor), unintentionally funny (people who don’t try being funny but accidentally are) and not funny. At this retreat, I realized my favorite people were all funny. I think it’s because funny people can see the world as how it is – good and bad – and still find joy.

9. Don’t read the news too much. There is always something to be miserable over – so be aware, and then live life.

10. My favorite experiences were not the fancy ones, with CEOs or special galas, but with the everyday people who were passionate about their crafts. Cool people are determined by what they do, not the status of their position.

There are too many people to thank, so I won’t. I will give a special appreciation to Anushka Chakrabarti, whom I asked to be my friend because I thought she was so funny in the office.

We still FaceTime each other to this day with her in New York City. To Ashley and Anushka, thank you for all the laughs.

The Daily Bruin gave me a voice to spread ideas, but it also taught me how to shut up and listen.

Kotanchek was the Podcasts editor 2022-2023 and a Photo and Quad contributor 2021-2022.