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FEATURED ARTICLES           Wednesday, September 08, 2010                                Email to a Friend

Join the Club

Adriana Molina

When you are a student looking for a summer job that is somewhat related to your field of study, or if you are a recent graduate seeking a position that applies the skills your degree has imparted on you, it can get to be really frustrating when every job you apply for asks you for experience. We’ve all been there. And every time a prospective employer asks you whether or not you have any experience with whatever it is you are applying for, I know it is really tempting to just want to say, “What the heck do you think I’m here for?” It gets to the point where you are left wondering what your degree is really worth. So there you are, trying to get your career started by getting a job that can give you experience applying your skills and theoretical knowledge, and now you find out that you need to already have experience to get experience! What kind of a sick joke is this? It’s like the old adage of the chicken and the egg – you want a chicken but you need the egg, but to get the egg you need the chicken. So what is a student to do? Well, there is a loop- hole to this little dilemma.

Surprisingly, the answer to your problem can be found on your very campus. The best way for students to get experience, or a trial run on the kind of jobs they would hope to acquire once they graduate, is through student organizations and clubs. These provide great opportunities for students to show what they are capable of accomplishing to prospective employers. And you can do this through virtually any club that you join. The secret is to play the role that you would want in the real world in the club. For example, let’s say you want to go into public relations, well then you can write articles, organize and promote events that your club is holding on campus and send them to local community papers. Have a passion for finance? Become the treasurer or Finance Executive of your club. The key is that you have to be able to show employers that what you’ve done through your club, be it theatre, intramural volleyball, the campus paper, etc., is applicable to the job you are applying for. And that’s not the only benefit that joining student club’s provides.

Student organizations also give you excellent networking opportunities. Now, if you are anything like me, you may slightly cringe at the word ‘networking’. This may be because you are uncomfortable speaking with people you barely know, or perhaps networking can seem a bit too contrived, unnatural, and almost as though you are using people for your own personal benefit (this is the main reason why I have a problem with networking). Fortunately, student clubs are a great alternative to networking events because they help you to meet key people while providing a real benefit, and doing some good-honest work. Joining a student club is not only a step towards a better social life, but also think of it as a strategic career move. You’ll meet people with your same interests, you’ll be given opportunities to put your skills to the test, and they’ll give you the chance to show employers that you are not just about theory; you have real experience.

There may be some of you thinking that you simply do not have the time to join your campus clubs; you’ve already got way too much on your plate trying to keep up on your assignments, midterms, and essays. Well, I was just like you in my first and second year of university. But then it dawned on me that no matter how great my grades may look, they won’t be worth anything if I don’t have any experience to back them up. And let’s be honest people, the time you don’t spend in student clubs is not going towards doing your assignments and catching up on your readings. Whether or not you spend 2 – 5 hours a week in a student club, you are still going to be pulling all-nighters before an essay is due or the day before a test. So you might as well get some experience under your belt so that when you finally leave, all of those sleepless nights will be worth something. The funny thing is that when I began to get involved in student organizations, my grades actually improved. This isn’t a guarantee, but it is definitely a trend. Furthermore, once I graduated, I didn’t get a job because I applied to companies through my school, or because my dad helped me to get a job with someone he knew. I actually got a job thanks to the work I did and the people I met through the student club I got involved in; and I didn’t even have to look for one…they actually called me!

Most likely, there are countless clubs that your college/university has to offer. If you are not sure, you can visit your school’s website and it should have a list of the different clubs available to you. And if that isn’t enough, attend your annual club fairs, pick-up your campus papers, and keep your eyes peeled when you pass bulletin boards and posters in the hallways. These are all good sources for finding a club that is just right for you. So what are you waiting for? Join the club!

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