College Jolt

The true definition of networking – according to one of my close companions, dictionary.com – reads: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.  Networking varies from a Facebook friend request to establishing a connection on LinkedIn.  My series will explore the abundant ways to network.

Hurriedly walking to class, you cannot help but think that you will be late.  You have a couple of heavy books in your arms, what seems to be a rock-filled backpack on your back, and to make your appearance suffer, you are sweating.  This is going to be a great day…not!

As you venture to your class that seems to be on the complete other side of campus, a butterfly flies past you.  The butterfly flaps its wings. As it gracefully glides past you, time seems to slow down and you do not feel rushed or irritated any longer. The butterfly soars. It has mixed colors of a dark black, a sun orange, a smiley yellow, and a fiery red. The butterfly’s vibrant colors sparkling in the sun made you not even realize you have stopped walking.  You gaze at the magical, magnificent butterfly; this day may be a good day. Its wings slice the air as it hovers on the current of the wind.  Its wings flap once more.  You smile.

The butterfly swoops down as a plane does once it is landing. It would be fantastic if the butterfly landed on something that was destined to be in your life. A car, a person, an answer.  How about an organization?

One’s first year in college is hectic beyond belief.  The funny thing is, a freshman probably does not realize their life was so hectic until they are reminiscing their sophomore year.  A typical freshman has a mind full of worries concerning what college will be like, why their roommate is so difficult, if classes will be outrageously challenging, how they will make friends, or how they will succeed.  On top of all of those worries, a freshman may want to join a club or organization.  This is a fabulous idea.

Universities around the nation have a wide variety of student led organizations. They will usually hold “Open Houses.” Open Houses are basically when organizations promote what they stand for and are about, by displaying  tri-folds, scrap books, and brochures while officers or members attempt to recruit you…or entice you with food and candy. Freshmen are encouraged to attend these events so they are able to find an organization that best suits their interests.  And more than likely, if the club one is looking for is not established, most universities allow students to construct a new organization from the foundation, up.

University clubs, organizations, or associations are extremely beneficial in one’s college career. Organizations are a key ingredient for the recipe to establish leaders.  Joining an organization and committing oneself to that organization shows potential employers you are dedicated and are able to juggle school and an organization. In addition, University organizations have unbelievably strong connections that will sync to your personal network.  Organizations may host career fairs where company recruiters come to your university campus to possibly hire students.  Organizations may also have company representatives come to their meetings to present workshops and information regarding the company.  They may also host company socials where company representatives join and get to know the organization’s members, ultimately to recruit them as full-time employees or interns.

Organizations may implement these events; however, I do know organizations have plentiful networks and connections on hand.  Finding the right organization for you is a task.  This task may not be as easy as a butterfly flying and landing on your dream organization’s tri-fold, but it should be an exciting, beneficial, and a learning task that will expand your connections while molding you into a leader. Test drive many to find the right one. However, a friendly warning: do not get over your head. Some people may join many, many organizations and find themselves in a ditch with their academic priorities.  I recommend joining three organizations at the most: one organization where you envision yourself being an officer, while the other two you are simply a member and participate in the offered organization activities.

Image courtesy of serc.carleton.edu.