Three years ago, two guys named Andrew hired me on the condition that I would try my hardest to make the QU Chronicle error-free and grammatically flawless.

So I casually fell into the role of head copy editor for the QU Chronicle. The editorial board consisted mostly of fast-paced, caffeine-addicted journalism majors who scared the heck out of me. Clutching only a red pen and the latest version of any copy editor’s Bible, the AP Stylebook, I would settle into any open space I could find in the recently-deceased Chronicle office.

If it sounds unglamorous, it was. But I started to value the skills I was learning from working on a newspaper. Copy editors are arguably the most misunderstood editor on board; no one outside of the journalism or editing world knows what we do.

It’s simple, really. I’ve written some opinion articles and come up with a few headlines and captions. I’ve worn out countless pairs of contacts by squinting at tiny print and computer screens late into the night. I don’t write much, but I did write a column last semester that started some fires.

But first and most importantly, copy editors read and edit other people’s copy, or writing.  It’s why I got involved with the paper, because I love writing, reading, editing, and words. And I’m going to let out my inner geek for a hot second and say that I absolutely love to read (bookworms of the world, unite!).

I want to thank my fellow editors and all of the writers whose copy has passed my desk. Reading your work has made me a better writer and more critical reader.

My love of words continues today (I’ll take on any Scrabble challenge, any day). In my time at Quinnipiac, I carved time out of my day to make room for the Chronicle because it made me happy to belong to such a thriving and fun group.

You rarely have time for everything you want out of this life, so sometimes you need to make choices.  Hopefully your choices can come from an understanding of what makes you happy, like mine did.