How Student Organizations Build Community and Career Readiness
Colleges and universities have an infinite number of ways in which students can get involved. Depending on the size of the institution, a school can anywhere from a few to a few hundred student groups and organizations. All interests and disciplines can be found such as political and social activism to departmental groups like marketing or economics. Participating in campus organizations helps students prepare themselves for the real-world, make lasting friends, grow skill-sets, and have fun!
Building Community
Whether you’re fresh outta high school, new to a school, or just looking to meet new people, student groups can provide a much-needed sense of community. Students find themselves in a tight-knit group of like-minded individuals grouped together on common interests and career goals.
Additionally, student organizations supply a plethora of networking opportunities. One college student, Michael Corbett, Bentley University’s associate director of Graduate Student and Academic Services, said the following,
“Many of our organizations are professionally-focused and host several events with alumni or panel discussions with local professionals. These events are excellent opportunities for the student leaders, and can often lead to potential internships or employment opportunities in the future!”
Skill-Development
Student organizations are an excellent way to build up soft skills. These are essentially “people skills” that allow us to effectively interact with others, like communication, attitude, and work ethic. Participating in a student organization not only teaches you these skills but also helps you broaden and improve those you already have. You’ll learn the best way to communicate with both individuals and large groups, and you’ll gain emotional intelligence as you develop new relationships.
Additionally, the team dynamics of student groups create opportunities to take on leadership roles that allow you to be more effective in classroom team projects.
Career Ready
As we’ve mentioned before, student groups are a great way to network, develop soft skills, and take advantage of leadership opportunities. Considering real job experience comes after studies are completed, group involvement can be the closest thing students can get. Along with internships, participation in student organizations can come in handy while entering the job force. Active involvement in student groups helps resumes stand apart from the competition.
Events & Competition
Oftentimes student groups organize events not only on campus but within the local community. This allows students to organize with partners throughout the community and create partnerships and participate in exciting events.
Online events are also made possible through student organizations. One example is MIT’s Operations Management group which is now celebrating its 16th Annual Operations Management Competition. The event is fully online and invites students from all over the world to see who can run the most successful virtual company. Students compete using Processim Labs operations management game, Medica Scientific, for the chance to win cash prizes and global school recognition.
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