Written by Megan Osborne
When you come home from class every day, what do you do? Do you just study and do your homework? Do you watch Netflix? Do you sleep? Or do you participate in different activities that keep you busy? We can all agree that it is nice to have time to relax and spend a significant amount of time on our school work; however, getting involved in college is beneficial for several reasons. This article will explore the benefits of being involved in extracurricular activities as a college student, as well as ways to get involved here at WSU and some fun things to do in the Pullman area.
Being involved in college has countless benefits besides just staying busy. According to the OrgSync blog, student academic success closely correlates with student involvement. Students who are engaged on campus are more likely to re-enroll for the next semester and will likely spend more time on campus. These factors can often lead to a greater chance of graduating and increased commitment to school work. Involvement can also improve a student’s image about their university; they are more likely to meet other students with their similar interests and work with professors (2009). Just by looking at these facts, you can probably see why it is important to be involved in some way in college!
Student Involvement
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According to statistics from My Atlantic, experience accounts for much more than just academic factors when an employer is looking for a recent graduate to hire (2014). Even though it is important to maintain a decent GPA and have a college major that is related to the job you’re applying for, extra activities and experience help to show that you are a well-rounded individual. These factors are especially important to keep in mind if you are applying for an internship. Since internship experience is considered the most important attribute to an employer, (23 on a scale of 100) it is crucial to involve yourself in something in college, such as an on-campus or local job, volunteer experience, and extracurricular activities. This way, you have something to talk about during your interview to set yourself apart from other applicants.
According to our campus survey, 27% of students are in an academic club/honors society, 32% participate in Greek Life, 1% are part of a multicultural club, 1% are involved with ASWSU, 10% are in sports, and 27% answered “other.” This survey consisted of a random sample of 100 WSU students. Additional information from this survey can be found in the Survey Results section of our website.
We also conducted some research by interviewing a couple WSU students and asking them questions about their involvement in college and how it has benefitted their college experience. One WSU student we interviewed who is a senior Management major, Elise Fenich, is involved in a variety of activities on campus. She is a part of a multicultural sorority (Gamma Alpha Omega), a WSU MSS Mentor, a CASHE Team leader, as well as a barista for Daily Grind and for the espresso carts on campus. Elise stated “I have learned so much by being involved. In example, leadership skills, collaboration, skills, etc. It definitely helps when interviewing because I have a lot of examples and experiences to talk about.” She recommends that students should get involved in any way that interests them. This way, you can meet people and are able to meet people and network without really trying.
Alyssa Ballantyne, a senior Human Development major, volunteers at Orphan Acres and works at the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). She says “I think my job and volunteering work might give me an advantage when it comes to my career because it demonstrates dedication and initiative.” When asked what advice she would give to underclassmen and other students regarding student involvement, she claimed, “be honest with yourself regarding what really matters to you; whether it be sports, Greek life, work, whatever. Put your heart into something. Do an activity that you would genuinely enjoy.”