You’ve probably heard it before: Getting involved in college is a good idea. OK…but why exactly? Even if you’re not really looking for new extracurricular activities or you’re pretty focused on your academics, doing something more than just going to class and studying is absolutely worthwhile.
Need more convincing? Here are five great reasons to consider joining a club or activity:
You’ll build your resume.
Getting involved can be a whole lot of fun, but it also shows future employers that you were dedicated to something throughout your time as a college student. Companies today want to hire college graduates who are responsible, passionate, and committed. Clubs and activities are an ideal way to build these skills as well as leadership aptitudes. Plus, certain organizations put your commitment to scholarship on display, like Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, an invitation-only organization for students with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
You’ll create a network.
Getting involved on campus is a great way to meet other students and branch out from the people you see each day in your classes. You might meet an influential professor who oversees the club or peers who share similar career interests. College is possibly the only time in your life that you will have access to so many different people, both peers and superiors. Take advantage of it!
You’ll create a richer college experience.
Haven’t you always heard that college is supposed to be transformative and memorable? It definitely can be…but it’s up to you. If you go to class, go home, and do homework, you miss out on many of the outside-of-class opportunities to engage with other students, which is a big part of the fun. Get involved. You’ll feel more connected to other students, the campus, and the experience of college overall.
You might open your eyes to new passions.
Joining a club just might spark something inside of you that you didn’t even know was there. Even if you’re pretty confident about a major and career path, getting involved in an activity could become an outlet for you (think theater or gaming club). It also might help you hone abilities that will serve you well throughout your life—for example, public speaking, communication, managing people, and self-advocacy.
In certain organizations, you could build career connections.
Some clubs exist for the purpose of connecting students to their future professions. You could gain professional experience through internships or other activities, meet potential employers at networking functions, build professional skills, and even learn about things like scholarships and career-building opportunities.
We could go on, but you get the idea: Getting involved on campus is time well spent. You will get to know other students (and possibly professors/professionals), give your resume a boost, and enhance your college experience. If you’re an FRCC student (or will be soon), there are all kinds of things to do on each of our campuses. Browse the website to see what your campus has to offer and find something you want to be a part of.
