With a degree in journalism, Lindsay Tigar ’09 set out to make a living in one of the toughest towns in the country: New York City. With no job and no apartment, Tigar was immediately hit with the reality of post-graduation life.

But Tigar is used to bold decisions, having marched into Appalachian State University’s student newspaper office with a “purple notebook filled with clips” and her mind set on a job. Tigar would go on to work at The Appalachian throughout her college years, and she credits the newspaper with preparing her to write for various publications in New York.

“We worked on tight deadlines, stayed up late to make sure everything went to print, worked and learned together and were a family. I learned a lot about leadership, editing and being part of a team by working at The Appalachian,” Tigar says of her time at the student newspaper.

Now, years after she made the move to the big city, Tigar has made quite a name for herself. A respected blogger, Tigar writes “Confessions of a Love Addict” and has watched her audience steadily grow, garnering an estimated 30,000 page views a month. After being featured on the front page of Wordpress, Tigar gained real traction and is now represented by a publishing agency with a book on the way. In addition, Tigar freelances for several well-known magazines and online publications, piling on to an already full plate. Luckily, Tigar says that her time at Appalachian adequately prepared her for this.

“I think college is a great time to learn the act of multi-tasking and meeting deadlines,” Tigar remarks.

“When you work at a school newspaper or a local publication on top of taking classes, you’re learning how to balance responsibilities and your energy to make sure everything is completed.”

In addition to preparing her for the long hours that come with being a journalist, Appalachian nurtured Tigar’s passions.

“The communications department was very welcoming and encouraging of my long-term goals,” Tigar says of Appalachian. Tigar looks back on this welcoming attitude and the “family-feeling” community with fond memories. She may have struck out on her own in New York, but there is no doubt that the Appalachian community had an impact on Tigar, breathing life into an already ambitious fire.