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Finding the right one
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Professional
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Social
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Starting one
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Benefits
In addition to stamina, intelligence and physical prowess, one needs other skills in life which a lot of students develop while involved in the hundreds of student organizations which exist on college campuses. They allow one to develop their interests, social abilities, widen social networks and develop leadership abilities. Last one occurs because over years of involvement, you are sure to be more involved and take on more and more responsibilities and develop a much more meaningful experience with the organization. Many people come back to their organizations years later and keep in touch with those who they were involved with for many years.
Which One Should I Pick?
They way to find an organization is usually that first week when they are out advertising themselves. Find that which interests you and see the people who run them. If you like the people and you share common interests and passions, it will be a good experience and pay off well. It doesn’t matter if it is a sport, an environmental advocacy, church group (although honestly, those scare me) or a hiking club. The important part is that this will add to your major, your personal grown and it will be fun.
If it Doesn’t Exist, Start it.
But back to business of student orgs, I’ll explain them from my perspective and how I got into them. I was studying optics and in San Diego, there would be a conference every year where scientists and engineers doing optics from around the world belonging to that particular society would come together and present their work. Once I realized that my school did not have this society, I realized it could use it since there was so much research and talent in that sphere. Once I began the organization, I learned what it is to recruit people, what it is to fund-raise and what it is to work with other organizations. It wasn’t easy. I first got a feeling for who wanted the club, so I introduced my idea in an optics class and passed around a sign up sheet and seeing 15 names on it I decided to go on with it and have a meeting. Two people showed up to the meeting but they motivated me to continue. I felt that I could accomplish a lot with this club and add value to lives of students. This pushed me to work to get funding, get advisers, speakers and worked with other clubs to create joint events. When you are doing something good that benefits others like students, department and major, people get on board and help. This was an amazing experience and it actually led me to finding work once I finished college. This was one of those things that made me realize that everything you do in life will either open or close doors.
When starting or joining organizations, the number one reason for doing is because you enjoy the people you are with. The reason one does anything is because of the people and you learn to value that when you are in a student organization and it is a lesson that was an invaluable part of my education.
Dangers:
There are many organizations and many people find themselves involved in more than one. In fact, you can find yourself interested in so many organizations as to over involve yourself and end up watching your academics and quality of life take a dive. So make sure to keep a balance. Just like videogames, tv, partying and books, a little at the right time is a good thing but too much will knock off the balance of the life and there will be consequences to pay.
seven year degree 