Getting Involved II: College
So the GMAT is over, but I didn’t get quite what I needed. I plan to keep studying, but in a little more relaxed schedule and sign up again when I feel ready.
Today, I thought I would talk about the best reasons to getting involved in college.
1. Having fun
College is all about meeting people, trying new things, and having fun. Everybody pictures college being this way, but not everyone has that experience and there is one reason why. People don’t put themselves out there. The fun is not going to come to you. If you want a rich college experience get involved. This could be anything, but in terms of the most FUN, consider joining a fraternity, playing intramurals, or any other club that caters to your interests. You can find a group on your college campus for everything from 17th century poetry to paintball. Find something that brings together your interests and people of similar interests.
2. Networking
There is no better way to find future opportunities that to get involved. If you want to find the best internships, jobs, and other opportunities then you need to meet the people with the power (or know the people with the power) to help you get those things. Join student government, the booster club, or any other organization you can find that gives you the chance to meet, speak with, and impress professors, alumni, university administrators (deans, chancellors) and anyone else who might help you out. You never know what professor has a connection at an investment bank or alumni who owns that architecture firm. If you go above and beyond it will be noticed.
3. Resume
Even if doing all these things does not put you in personal contact with someone who can help you out, you still have a leg up over the typical college student. If a company has the choice between a 4.0 student with no extra-curriculars or a kid with a 3.5 who has had a quality internship, was president of the student body, and social chair of his fraternity, the company will chose the latter every time. If you can get that 4.0, but that is no excuse not get involved. For resume purposes try to find organizations where you can take a strong leadership role and have stories that involve you leading major projects.
4. Friends
Besides just networking for job and other opportunities, getting involved is a great way to meet new friends. Without my fraternity and organizations I have been involved in within the business college, I would not have met many of my best friends. Let’s not forget, it is also much easier to meet the opposite sex in a chill, friendly setting like a mixer or meeting than at the bars.
In conclusion GET INVOLVED. It’s not that hard to find at least one organization that you can really enjoy being a part of, though I would join a few more. A general rule of thumb would be to choose 3 organizations for 3 different purposes: 1 for fun, 1 for learning purposes, 1 for networking. This might be a fraternity (fun), the finance club (if you’re a business major) and the student alumni board (networking). But regardless, get out and meet people, find something fun to do besides play your x-box and get out of your comfort zone.
