Joining The Right Student Club Or Organization In College Pays Dividends

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA-Most colleges and universities offer their students numerous organizations or clubs to join. Finding a group of persons interested in the same sorts of topics and activities can bring a student out of his or her shell, and make the transition to college easier.

"The key part is to find an organization that meets your interests. Finding the correct 'fit' will take some time, some experimentation, and possibly a few mis-matches along the way," says Sean Cook, coordinator of Student and Corporate Services in Penn State's Smeal College of Business. "If you're thinking about joining a club or an organization, it is important that you examine your motivations beforehand."

To find the right fit, Cook recommends students should ask some key questions:

• What is it about this club and its activities that interest me?
• Can I see myself taking part in these activities?
• Am I joining just because my friends are joining?
• Are there other interests I would rather pursue?
• What do I really love doing?
• What would it excite me to learn?

A visit to the college's student activities office can help the student discover what clubs are available on his or her campus. Talks with an advisor, a student life professional, or an older student--perhaps a resident assistant or a student mentor--may also be helpful.

"Another important thing for students to remember is that, in most cases, joining a student organization is not a lifelong activity. And, with the exception of certain fraternal organizations, you are not limited to joining just one club," says Cook. "If the match is not good, then you should probably start looking for other options. In time, you will likely find a group that offers a better fit."

Cook points out that it is not uncommon for students to join clubs to meet new friends or to combat loneliness.

"It's easier to talk with and socialize with persons that share your interests. But the important, key part of this is finding an organization that meets your interests. It concerns me when students join organizations that do not meet their interests, in order to find or remain in a social group," says Cook.

Sometimes, Cook notes, students join organizations simply because their friends are joining. This can keep students from realizing their potential, or from truly discovering their interests.

"Even worse, a feeling of loneliness may settle in, if the fit with the group isn't right. Eventually, the student will start noticing that he or she does not share the same interests, or that his or her views don't always mesh with others in the group. This can contribute to reduced participation in club activities and discussions, and will eventually result in renewed feelings of loneliness and isolation," cautions Cook.

Before joining any club or organization, Cook suggests meeting with the person in charge of all student groups to get an overview of the clubs, and to get recommendations of a few to visit. Students who are absolutely sure of their eventual major, may want to look into a major-related club. Students who are unsure of their eventual major, should visit more than one major-related club. In addition to meeting new friends, student organizations offer great avenues for exploring different majors and career fields

"Involvement in an organization can help you prepare for future challenges in the working world," says Cook. Some examples of skills students can learn through out-of-class involvement include:

• Planning projects and events
• Meeting deadlines
• Fundraising
• Administering budgets
• Networking
• Information management (through newsletters, listserves, Web sites)
• Coalition-building
• Managing meetings
• Supervising other people
• Assessment (through program evaluations, surveys, etc.)

"These are all great examples of transferable skills that could prepare a student for success in a management position in the business world, "says Cook. "In my office, we have brochures for the Smeal College's Business Student Council that nicely summarizes the value of student involvement in clubs. On the front cover, they read, 'Join us now, so you don't have to work for us later.'"