What are the benefits of getting involved on your campus, you say? Being a leader and role model to your peers, making a difference in your community, discovering your strengths and passion, and a bonus to building your resume. You must be wondering, so what or I don’t need these experiences, I work full time and I just don’t have the time. As students, we know that attending a program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is a place where you can get an affordable education while being committed to your other obligations such as personal life, family and work. But school is much more than sitting in class and listening to professors lecture! “What you may not know is that getting involved on campus comes with its own set of major perks. It’s not just about meeting other students, although that’s definitely one appeal of joining college clubs and organizations. But that’s not the only benefit of getting involved.” (Source: http://www.css.edu/the-sentinel-blog/the-importance-of-community-participation-why-college-clubs-and-organizations-matter.html )

Studies have shown that getting involved in student organizations and student life:

1. Have higher graduation rates.
2. Report higher levels of satisfaction with their college experience.
3. Are more effective in their educational involvement, career planning, lifestyle planning, cultural participation and academic autonomy.
4. Develop effective interpersonal relationship skills.
5. Develop increased self-confidence and tolerance of and acceptance for other

Source: https://shadygrove.umd.edu/student-services/csef/student-organizations

“The importance of community participation: Why college clubs & organizations matter,” provides 7 reasons as to why you should get involved on campus:

1. It’s a chance to build your skillset

2. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your time management

3. It helps you become more collaborative

4. It can lead to great friendships and new networking opportunities

5. It can build your self-confidence

6. It can provide you with a well-rounded college experience

7. It can increase your marketability

Source: http://www.css.edu/the-sentinel-blog/the-importance-of-community-participation-why-college-clubs-and-organizations-matter.html

Get out there and get involved

When you get involved, employers will see that you have the required experiences while not having to worry about acquiring those resume items. Having been involved on my campus, I know that my impressive skills and hands-on experience will catch the eye of hiring managers.

Based on the many benefits listed above, it’s clear that getting involved on your campus matters to your personal growth and to your future employers. The next time you plan on arriving to USG, remind yourself to get out and explore all of the opportunities USG has to offer! It also helps when you attend a college that offers a robust assortment of on-campus opportunities. Be sure to check out all the clubs and organizations.

Here is the link on how to join an organization at USG and what USG offers for leadership opportunities:

https://shadygrove.umd.edu/student-services/csef/student-

organizationshttps://shadygrove.umd.edu/student-services/csef/leadership-opportunities