Five Reasons You Should Join a College Club
College clubs are prevalent across nearly every college, so why should you join one in 2024?
College clubs can be an extremely influential experience in your college career. Whether you’re at your local community college or a prestigious university, clubs can foster lifelong friendships and help you build a network that helps after graduation.
What’s a College Club?
A college club is a student-run organization that focuses on a specific interest, activity, or cause within a college or university community. These clubs are typically formed by students who share a common passion or goal and come together to pursue it outside of the classroom environment. College clubs can cover a wide range of interests, including academic subjects, sports, arts and culture, community service, advocacy, hobbies, and more.
Key aspects of college clubs include:
Membership: College clubs are open to students who have an interest in the club's focus area. Membership is usually voluntary, and sometimes can include a fee (or member due) to fund the club’s activities. These clubs use member management platforms like embolt.app to help collect dues and manage their members & events.
Activities and Events: Clubs organize various activities and events related to their focus area. These may include meetings, workshops, seminars, competitions, performances, volunteer projects, social gatherings, and more.
Leadership and Organization: College clubs are typically led by student officers or a leadership team who manage the club's operations, plan activities, and represent the club within the college community.
Support and Resources: Depending on the college or university, clubs may receive support and resources from the institution, such as funding, meeting spaces, access to facilities, and guidance from faculty advisors. However, many clubs also operate independently with student-driven initiatives.
Community Engagement: College clubs often engage with the broader college or local community through their activities and events. This may involve collaborating with other student organizations, partnering with local businesses or nonprofits, or organizing initiatives that benefit the community.
Why Is Joining a College Club Important?
College clubs provide students with a platform to pursue their interests, develop skills, build relationships, and make a positive impact within their college community. They offer valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth outside of the academic curriculum.
Here are five big reasons you should join a club in 2024:
Networking Opportunities: Joining a college club can significantly expand one's network, which is crucial for future career prospects. A LinkedIn survey in 2016 showed that a majority of jobs are filled via networking.
Skill Development: College clubs offer unique opportunities for skill development outside of the classroom. A study published in 2022 found that students who participated in extracurricular activities reported higher levels of leadership, teamwork, and communication skills compared to those who did not.
Enhanced Resume/CV: In a competitive job market, employers value extracurricular involvement. A 2018 study of 21 million job adverts in the UK found that soft skills and non-academic achievements are central to getting through the first stage of the recruitment process.
Personal Growth and Well-being: College clubs provide a supportive environment for personal growth and well-being. A study published in 2023 online found that a variety of extracurricular activities can decrease the stress of college students and benefit their mental health.
Friendship and Support: College clubs offer opportunities to build meaningful friendships and find support systems. A study from the Library of Medicine in 2011 showed organized activities during the first year of college predicted higher friendship quality for young adults who had high feelings of loneliness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, joining a college club in 2024 offers an array of invaluable benefits and opportunities for students navigating their higher education journey. From fostering meaningful connections and expanding professional networks to building essential skills.
In an increasingly competitive landscape where academic achievement alone may not suffice, extracurricular involvement through college clubs can make the difference. The statistics and research show correlations in enhanced employability and more effective resumes.