Studies show that students who engage with their campus communities are more likely to complete their degrees while also maintaining higher average GPAs than their peers. One of the easiest and most fun ways of getting involved on campus is to join a student club.
From career development to health and wellness, there’s a student club for just about everyone. Here are just some of the benefits students can reap by joining a campus club:
Make friends: College can be a fun and exciting growing experience. It can also come with stressors. Having a solid support system of friends to share successes and setbacks alike can make all the difference. Not only can a sense of community influence your overall satisfaction with college, but it can impact whether you finish your course of studies and achieve your educational goals.
One of the easiest ways to make friends is to share an activity with people who enjoy the same things you do aka a club centered around one of your interests.
Career development: Even if you join a club that’s more focused on social activities than academics, being part of a student organization gives you plenty of opportunities to gain skills that employers value, add experience to your resume, and network.
Because clubs hold meetings, negotiate their agendas for the year amongst their members, and plan events, joining one can help you develop soft skills like communicating with different types of people, speaking in front of peers, navigating group dynamics, and other interpersonal attributes that contribute to success in the workplace.
Clubs have a system of governance and often participate in fundraising activities, put on events, volunteer in the community, and more. If you don’t have a ton of professional experience to put on your resume, you can fill it out with experiences like serving as a club officer, organizing volunteers for a club fundraiser, creating a financial plan for the end-of-year club mixer, etc.
Many clubs focused around areas of study, e.g., a club for engineering or marketing majors, host guest speakers and networking events with industry professionals. This is a great way to gain connections and insight into your chosen field, develop knowledge about possible career tracks, and meet people who will be your peers throughout your career.
Personal growth: College may be your first experience interacting with people from different backgrounds and having a chance to branch out and learn about new areas of interest. Joining a club that doesn’t focus on your chosen major is a great way to discover and develop interests you may not otherwise be exposed to. Clubs are a safe and supportive space to learn about and explore new activities and to find peer mentors willing to help deepen your knowledge and develop your enthusiasm.
Cheap entertainment: Clubs and club events are typically subsidized by the college. So club members can often take part in off-campus club excursions like concerts, sporting events, conventions, etc., at a fraction of the usual cost. Even if you join a club that’s more prone to sticking to campus, meetings are still a free way to get in some socializing time.
Shoreline has dozens of active student clubs. Join one and get involved on campus today!
The Club Kickoff event for Fall Quarter 2019 is Thurs., Oct. 17 in the PUB Main Dining Room from 11 am – 1:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to check out club offerings and chat with students already involved.