Three weeks ago my life was turned upside down by Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

I had a comfortable life, had just settled into my apartment in Slippery Rock, and was enjoying the growth that came with my position as a recent college graduate and reporter for the Butler Eagle.

As I sat down one evening to read a book, I got a phone call that would change my life, and leave me with a sense of urgency that I had never before experienced. The Clinton campaign had received my resume from a former employer, and campaign officials wanted to hire me immediately.

I want to change this world, however lofty and optimistic it may sound, and this was my chance to transform my passion for a candidate into action. I took the job.

My first reaction can be described as complete shock. I felt as if a giant hand were reaching through my ceiling, and pulling me out of a comfort zone that I just had discovered. I had a million thoughts: "I can't quit my job. I can't move again. I have bills to pay. What about my new life here?"

But then I thought about history. I thought about how at 6 years old, my mother and I were looking through books and, after I inquired about all of those strange men called presidents I was just beginning to learn about, she said, "Stephanie, you can be president one day."

I thought about how my father instilled in me a sense of rebellion, and a sense of fighting for causes and people I believe in. He taught me the importance of standing up for what I believe in, the importance of having an opinion, and the civic duty of being politically savvy and active.

My parents taught me a lesson that spurred me to take this life-changing journey: Life is short, and you have to live it now.

On Wednesday, the day after three critical primary victories in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island for Hillary, I am here with 200 newly signed-up volunteers from a 15-hour phone bank session and with a warm heart. For all of the anxiety of the past three weeks, the ride has just begun, and the world is coming to Pennsylvania.

When I meet a new supporter of Hillary, I feel more motivated than ever. When I made calls for eight consecutive hours with other volunteers willing to give up an afternoon to do their part and get out the vote in Ohio and Texas, I feel so incredibly fulfilled to know that I am a part of something much larger than myself, and my life. I am a part of a team, and we are part of history.

Yes, there are bills to pay and an apartment that I need to take care of, but I no longer live in at the moment. Also, I will be sleeping in my grandmother's basement until the April 22 primary.

Yes, I took a huge risk in taking an abrupt fork in the road at such a critical point in Hillary's campaign. But I knew she needed my help, and I know Pennsylvania will play a major role in this nomination.

Already I have discovered a new politically charged family in this experience of being on the other side of the game. Now, reporters call me, and it's an interesting experience to see someone in a position that I was in just a few weeks ago.

During my first week, I experienced a baptism by fire. I made hundreds of phone calls, rounded up volunteers and began to learn the ropes of the political world.

On my first day of phone banking, I was making calls to rally volunteers before the Ohio and Texas primaries. I called a Latino woman named Jazmin and asked her to come down to make calls. She immediately hopped onto a bus with her daughter, walked in the door and said, "I will do anything for Hillary."

They sat together and dialed Ohio voters for hours on end, laughing with me and talking about our excitement for the future. These are moments I will never forget.

I believe in Hillary because I believe in health care for all Americans. I believe she has the experience to get us out of Iraq in a swift and safe manner, and I believe she has the policy know-how to fix our broken economy.

Hillary also understands the importance of tackling issues such as equal pay and the wage gap between men and women, along with other women's issues, not because she has learned they are important, but because she feels it in her bones.

Not many people get the chance to work on a presidential campaign. This is the most exciting moment in history our country has seen since 1968, and I already have stories to tell my future grandchildren.

With all eyes on Pennsylvania, I am in the eye of the storm, and loving every minute of it.

Stephanie Rex is a former reporter for the Butler Eagle. She is working for the Clinton campaign in Pittsburgh.