Sitting around in your skivvies, eating Cheetos, and watching Walker, Texas Ranger is all good fun. However, wouldn’t you rather sit around fully clothed and plan for upcoming events and fundraisers with say, the Psychology Club?
Flipping through our high school yearbooks, we may have secretly wished to kill the student with the 4.0 grade point average and the perfectly bouncy, invariably sweet smelling hair, who was in not five, but (a whopping) six after school clubs. They were president of the chess club, editor of the student newspaper, member of the art club, philosophy club, winds ensemble and racquetball league.
As nerdy as it seems, one of the smartest things that incoming students can do in their first years of study is join a student organization. The benefits of being involved in a student-led group are many. Being involved lets one work with and get to know countless numbers of people that they wouldn’t have met had they not gotten involved in some extracurricular activities. It is also a great way to be able to make a difference in what goes on on campus.
“Research shows that students that are actively involved are more connected to their campus, and feel better about their college experience,” said Joy Fulkerson, coordinator for community service programs in the office of Student Life and Leadership.
It would be nice to lock yourself in your room, watch a daylong Simpson’s marathon and consider it an accomplishment to put on your resume. Alas, if only life were like that.
Holding leadership positions in student organizations can give a student invaluable experience that will aid them in other endeavors after they graduate and have a career of their own.
It is also helpful to have something of substance to put on your resume. After graduation from high school, your resume must start anew, and to have a competitive edge in the already ultra-competitive job market is by all means a good thing.
When it comes to organizations on the campus of East Tennessee State University, there are groups out there for students of all interests. With over 150 organizations on campus, one is sure to find something that suits them.
The office of Student Life and Leadership serves as the resource center for all registered student organizations. They provide services and information to help you along in your search for involvement.
Student organizations are categorized into different areas according to their general purposes: academic, community service, governance, Greek, honors, religious, residence life, university programs, special interests and sports.
“It might take some exploring,” said Fulkerson, “but there is something to interest any student on campus. There are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved, and student organizations are wanting new members to bring new ideas and perspectives into their groups.”
Getting involved is sure to be a truly rewarding experience, for those that take part in what their campus has to offer.
For more information, visit the Office of Student Life and Leadership on the first floor of the D.P. Culp University Center, visit their web site at http://www.etsu.edu/studentlife/student_orgs.htm, or call 439-5675.

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