Association of Women in Agriculture Student Organization
So many times I have heard juniors and seniors say, “Aw, man! Why didn’t I get involved sooner?” It is not so uncommon that college students find a student organization late in their college experience and then lament their limited time to be involved. It seems that juniors and seniors are the ones who finally have that “ah-ha!” moment and realize how rewarding student organizations can be. Of course, student organizations are not just for upperclassmen…they are for everyone!
I think that there is this perception out there that only job experience is worthy experience on a resume, but that is simply not true! Whole-hearted involvement in a student organization is not for slouches! Ultimately, employers want to see that you are a well-rounded person. The skills you learn via your student organizations may be some of the most impressive items on your resume!
So, you may be asking: If I am not getting paid for my work, and I am not working in a professional setting, how can engagement with my student organization build my resume? Below is an explanation of how student organizations can benefit you in your career trajectory:
BUILD SKILLS
Whether you are volunteering, interning for credit, or getting paid, you are undoubtedly gaining skills as you do work for you student organization. Skills range from organization to organization, but many of the same skills can be gained from every organization. As you think about the various tasks you accomplish in your student org, consider the following questions:
- Are you working as a part of a team to accomplish a task?
- Are you working with your student or local government to secure funding?
- Are you balancing budgets and creating financial spreadsheets for your student org?
- Are you advocating or campaigning for a certain issue around campus?
- Are you creating flyers and advertising upcoming events on social media sites?
- Are you facilitating meetings?
- Are you envisioning goals, coordinating events, or delegating tasks?
You can see based on the questions above that student organizations allow you to build a wide range of skills, anywhere from marketing to budgeting to teamwork to planning events. All of these skills are highly relevant to employers.
BUILD NETWORKS
One of the greatest aspects about student organizations is that you meet a lot of new people. Not only do you meet other students, but you can get in touch with professors and local professionals that your organization is in contact with. Frequently your student organization is familiar with larger, professional organizations and companies in the same field, and it may provide you the opportunity to network with those professionals. Others in your student org may personally know people you are interested in networking with and you can use those connections to build your own visibility.
FILL A VARIETY OF POSITIONS
In student organizations there is usually not just one role you can fill. Student organizations are always looking for volunteers, interns, leaders, social media managers, communications people, public relations and treasurers. If you stick with or participate in many student organizations, you will find that you pick a large number of skills just by the different range of positions you fill. Student organizations usually do not limit you to one role and one role only. You can build a variety of skills by participating in many different ways.
LEARN TO BE A LEADER
Student organizations are great means for you to practice your leadership skills without the pressure of a professional situation. Filling any type of leadership role—treasurer, president/vice president, communications coordinator, advisor, etc.—allows you to help other students by giving advice, guiding projects, planning events and coordinating volunteers. These skills are incredibly important on a resume, and will be great experiences to pull from in an interview.
