The classic reason for joining a fraternity or a sorority is that “They provide the best connections for after you graduate.” That may be great and all, but how many of those members are actually in your line of work? What about gaining skills right now in college that can only be learned through other students who know your field? This is why an organization in your field is so important.
I am one of those students who wanted to push back and not join my major’s organization. I thought it would be too difficult to fit in since I was an underclassmen. I didn’t think at a younger age it would be beneficial to talk to these Juniors and Seniors. Looking back now, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Those upperclassmen are there for you. They want to help you learn how to be the best you can be. They have already been at your point in your life and want to help you get over the hurdles they struggled with.
I am a Radio and Television Broadcast major here at UNA, and since I have begun attending the National Broadcast Society meetings my knowledge of the industry has grown exponentially. I have grown new bonds with people who have all types of ideas about what they want to do when they graduate. There are people who are passionate about things I have never even considered. Everyone in our club has their own role, and as a team we could potentially start our own broadcast company. We have writers, talent, producers, camera operators and editors. We teach each other new tips and tricks all the time. We actively want to help others learn our skills because we all enjoy it so much. I have even been granted the greatest opportunity to become the President of NBS for the 2018-2019 year, and I could not be more excited. NBS has given me both the drive to do great things, and a family of people I can turn to whenever I need help.
Every major should have some type of organization to join that allows you to stretch your legs and see what it is like to be in that field. Geography, Public Relations, Math and even knitting. If you can’t find an organization to join, create your own. They are so important to open doors and see your world in full context.
Organizations generally meet several times a month, and with the larger ones there are conferences to attend and competitions to enter. NBS has several conferences each year, and sometimes they can be in amazing cities such as New York or Washington, DC. Membership can both look great on a resume, as well as connect you to an national network of people in your own field. This is a direct network, as the people who generally are working hard in these organizations will also be the ones hiring in the future. It is very important to meet people around the country so that you can always have someone to turn to if you need to find that golden opportunity.
Joining an organization, weather on campus or off, can be one of the most beneficial decisions you can make in your career. These will help you go further than ever possible alone. Through valuable resources and information dispersed throughout the members, having that ticket into a club can mean the difference between a job in New York and a job in Wisconsin.
Kobee Vance 