By Alexandra Laurence | LTVN Reporter/Anchor
Coming to college is one of the biggest transitions in life, and everyone should have a place either on campus or off campus where they can be themselves and have a foundation of people to grow alongside of. Getting involved wherever you are planted is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Life is all about balance, and if there is just work or just school, then it would not be healthy — mentally or emotionally.
There are multiple benefits to joining clubs, teams, churches and organizations on and off campus that outweigh a majority of the cons. For one, getting involved in a group is a great way to make friends and expand beyond your close-knit circle. Meeting new people this way leads to many different opportunities and allows you to make genuine relationships and connections.
Another advantage is you get to meet neighbors and people who live close to you. Make the most of that. Through these connections, it’s a lot easier to network. Get involved in something you are passionate about, and remember the people alongside you. You never know where people will end up in life. These new possibilities may be your future employer or someone who writes a letter of recommendation for you. Networking is something you will end up doing your whole life, so why not start having that mindset now?
Another reason why you should get involved is because you can discover your interests and what you’re passionate about. College is full of trying new things and figuring out what you like and what you don’t like. Getting involved and joining random organizations and groups can help you realize skills and strengths that you may not have needed beforehand. You can find a new passion or a new belonging, all because you decided to go out on a whim and join something totally random. In addition, getting involved is a great way to build your resume. After college, you will eventually probably look for a job. Employers will look at your resume and what you were involved in. They want the total package; being involved in your community looks great because it shows that you know how to work with people. While resumes aren’t everything, they are heavily considered in job searches, so you want yours to be as strong as possible — filled with activities that represent who you are, what you stand for and what you are passionate about.
Furthermore, getting involved can help build skills such as confidence, public speaking, leadership and how to form an opinion. These are valuable skills in life that you may not have had to develop prior to college. In a group, you can really find out who you are as a person and develop yourself to be the best version possible. These skills will build off your whole life, and joining a club or organization can be a great foundation for that. At the end of the day, you have nothing to lose by getting involved, and you have everything to gain. Take advantage of every opportunity around you, form relationships and connections, build your resume and become the best possible version of yourself.
