Freshmen Friday: Involvement

Getting involved is one of the most important parts of being a college student, but with over 550 organizations it can be tough deciding what to join. Selecting 3-4 organizations to get involved with can help you network, socialize, build your resume, and also impact your life in ways you never expected. I joined Global Brigades as a junior and had no idea what to expect, but after fundraising all semester I was able to go to Honduras and serve the underprivileged members of their community. We spent 3 days in clinic treating patients and built eco-stoves in the community of San Julian on the last day. It was the most humbling and eye-opening experience I have had in college and I cannot wait to go back!
Here are some tips on how to start finding organizations to join on campus! First pick at least one organization that has to do with your future career. These organizations are some of the most important because they will help you with job applications and allow you to network with people in your field. Next you should find an organization you want to join for fun. It can be a book club, sorority/fraternity, ag club, fashion club, or anything else that interests you. These will allow you to make new friends who share similar interests! Finally apply for honor societies because they are great for networking and building your resume. Once you have joined organizations be sure to take advantage of all the benefits they provide!
Just remember a few things:



· Quality > Quantity
o Invest your time into a few rather than spreading yourself thin by joining 20
· Try it out and "return" it if it's not right for you
o It is okay to join an organization and leave if you are not receiving the best benefits possible
· Say No
o It is okay to miss a meeting or social event because you have to study. You are a student first, so if you can't make it say no and delegate
If you need to find an org to get involved in check out orgsync.com or go to the Tech Terry Website and find organization lists compiled by college and major!


​Giuli Dimarco