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Extracurricilar Activities Bolster College Experiance
CHELSEA FALATO
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Features
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College is a daunting experience as a freshman, and that feeling of intimidation continues for many students throughout all four years. Not only must students agonize over grades and class schedules, they must continuously prepare for their future career.
While classes provide students with an understanding of their prospective fields, there are other vital skills that can be learned through involvement in school clubs and organizations. However, it seems that students don’t comprehend the significance of doing more than the bare minimum to get the most out of their college experience – and I don’t mean partying.
The most obvious benefit of on-campus involvement is resume building. A goal of many students looking for a job after graduation is creating a strong resume to present to prospective employers. One way of developing a strong resume, besides internships and part-time jobs, is joining clubs and organizations. Yet, many students do not take advantage of what they can discover through their participation.
“Becoming involved allows students to develop transferable skills such as communication, networking, leadership, teamwork and writing,” said Sharon Rosengart, the director of Career Development and Advisement Center. Students involved in extracurricular activities are able to take the skills learned and develop them in a way that will assist them in future success. While being interviewed, students will be able to not only give specific examples of the skills they possess but also how they obtained them. Through participation in clubs and organizations, students may have the chance to learn leadership skills by delegation, money management, time management and team work. These are all
necessary in different aspects of many business industries.
There are students who are not able to take part in activities due to other commitments in their life, such as work. These students do not need to worry however, because their work experience can help as well.
“Not every student has the ability to take advantage of extracurricular [activities] because they work,” said Rosengart.
“But these students must be able to articulate the skills they have learned in their job.”
It is understandable, and acceptable that not all students are able to become involved in school organizations. However, these students must understand that they should take complete advantage of their jobs and grasp all the skills they can learn, no matter how trivial the job may seem.
Rachael Weeks, senior communication major and president of the Student Public Relations Association knows the importance of extracurricular activities.
"Being involved in school activities has taught me diligence and responsibility, and by working with other organizations, I have learned other important skills that will be useful to my future,” she said. “It has also made my experience at college more enjoyable.”
Above all, what students need to keep in mind is that being involved in school can make the next four years more exciting and enjoyable. Not only are you learning functional skills, but you are making friends and giving yourself an outlet to leave some of the stress of college behind.
“Becoming involved allows students to develop transferable skills such as communication, networking, leadership, teamwork and writing,” said Sharon Rosengart, the director of Career Development and Advisement Center. Students involved in extracurricular activities are able to take the skills learned and develop them in a way that will assist them in future success. While being interviewed, students will be able to not only give specific examples of the skills they possess but also how they obtained them. Through participation in clubs and organizations, students may have the chance to learn leadership skills by delegation, money management, time management and team work. These are all
necessary in different aspects of many business industries.
There are students who are not able to take part in activities due to other commitments in their life, such as work. These students do not need to worry however, because their work experience can help as well.
“Not every student has the ability to take advantage of extracurricular [activities] because they work,” said Rosengart.
“But these students must be able to articulate the skills they have learned in their job.”
It is understandable, and acceptable that not all students are able to become involved in school organizations. However, these students must understand that they should take complete advantage of their jobs and grasp all the skills they can learn, no matter how trivial the job may seem.
Rachael Weeks, senior communication major and president of the Student Public Relations Association knows the importance of extracurricular activities.
"Being involved in school activities has taught me diligence and responsibility, and by working with other organizations, I have learned other important skills that will be useful to my future,” she said. “It has also made my experience at college more enjoyable.”
Above all, what students need to keep in mind is that being involved in school can make the next four years more exciting and enjoyable. Not only are you learning functional skills, but you are making friends and giving yourself an outlet to leave some of the stress of college behind.
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