Coming in as a first-year to the University of Virginia, I made it a priority to focus on learning things that I otherwise would not be taught at school. On top of my list of skills to learn was learning how to cold email people--individuals I admire and look up to or just people I would like to get in touch with. I figured we live in such an interconnected world that literally anyone I might need to get in touch with is one email away.
Through using that, I got to spark conversations with people I admire, I landed a summer internship, got featured on Business Insider, and most recently--scored a book. Not just any book--it was one that was written by someone I hold in high regard: Alexis Ohanian. Apart from being a UVA alum, he stands for many issues that have defined my generation: Internet freedom, transparency in politics, and extremely cute mascots.
Just a few days after I had sent Alexis an email saying Hi, I got this in my mailbox. And I was thrilled. The book lived up to every expectation I had and went that extra mile that very few books do--to instill inspiration inside of me to dare to create something great. And as it turns out, I do not need anyone's permission to do it.