7 Ways to Get Involved on Campus
If you're in college, chances are there’s a few things you want to accomplish before graduating. That may be graduating with a high GPA, completing an internship, or simply to get involved with student life on campus. Immersing yourself in college life can be a rewarding experience, and although it may be better to start early as a first-year college student, it’s never too late to join. With that said, here are seven ways to get involved on campus.
7 Ways to Get Involved on Campus
1) Get a job on campus
Participating in the work-study program on campus is a great way to get involved while also receiving supplemental income to pay for school. Many departments on campus are typically looking for students to be tutors, tour guides, student ambassadors and administrative assistants.
Along with earning money, having a job can add work experience to your resume and help you learn more about your college’s services. You can also make connections with the faculty you’ll be working with in your respective office. If you’re not eligible for work study, NJIT also offers Institutional Work Study positions for students.
2) Join or start a student organization or club on campus
Most colleges have student-run organizations on campus that you can join. There are many interesting clubs you can join from student media and academic to religious, cultural and environmental groups. In fact, you can also find a club that focuses on your major or career path. Additionally, some colleges may offer e-sports for a variety of games including Call of Duty, Madden, FIFA and Super Smash Bros. This is a perfect way to build friendships with other students, making a large campus feel a bit cozier.
Clubs can also expose you to networking opportunities where you can cultivate professional relationships that will help you down the line when you’re looking for a career. Additionally, clubs help you develop soft skills, also known as “people skills” that allow you to effectively communicate and interact with others.
If you decide to stay with an organization long enough, you may also have a chance to become an officer where you can develop leadership skills, which are very enticing to job recruiters. NJIT has plenty of extracurricular activities you can join and can be found on the university’s Highlander Hub. You can also check with student services to learn more about the process of starting your own student organization.
3) Participate in club sports or intramural teams
If you're not a collegiate athlete but you still love playing sports, many schools offer club sports or intramural teams you can join. Most universities have a variety of sports you can pick from including basketball, baseball, soccer, bowling, hockey, flag football, and more.
One important thing about club sports and intramural teams is that you don’t have to be the most athletic person – there’s a level playing field where you’ll be playing with people with the same experience level as you have. Playing sports can help you meet people with the same interests as you and give you a chance to maintain your mental and physical health while in college.
4) Attend events on campus
Public lectures, sports events, career fairs, local tours, TED talks, and festivals are just a few examples of some of the exciting events that happen on campus. If you don’t know where to search for college events, you can look for fliers throughout campus that are usually posted on bulletin boards in campus centers, lounges, and hallways of academic buildings. Colleges also send out emails to students for involvement opportunities. Most schools send emails regarding special events, but be sure to check out NJIT's calendar of events which can give you a catalog of organizations happening around campus.
5) Join a sorority or a fraternity
Joining a fraternity or sorority is a great way to make friends and become more acquainted on campus. Sororities and fraternities often offer alumni networking which provide internship and job opportunities. Additionally, while sororities and fraternities are notable for gatherings, you can actually build leadership skills as members are responsible for planning charity and fundraising events. While Greek organizations can be a hefty time commitment, the investment you make will prove to be valuable to you now and in the future
6) Become a school tutor or teaching assistant
If you're passionate about a certain subject, you should consider helping other students by tutoring them. Offer one-on-one tutoring sessions or be a part of a tutor group to aid others who may be struggling in a certain class. Along with helping students learn new information, you can also earn some extra money as a tutor if you get a work study position on campus. Being a tutor exposes you to many opportunities to meet other students or faculty within your major.
7) Participate in volunteering and community service
If you're looking to become more familiar with not only your college campus but also its surrounding community, then volunteering for a cause is a great way to get involved. In fact, NJIT has plenty of community service organizations that you can join if you feel passionate about a specific cause. For example, Habitat for Humanity is an international organization on campus that helps design and build affordable housing for people in need. NJIT also has a food pantry organization that helps students with food insecurity by providing food and hosting food drives within the community.
Being involved in your community allows you to see issues that affect people and change your perspective. Additionally, while some students may dread going to classes, volunteering will expose you to what happens outside of campus and give you a more memorable college experience. Volunteering in an excellent way to make a difference in your community.
Get involved at NJIT!
It’s clear that getting involved on campus opens yourself to a bunch of opportunities that’ll benefit you during and after college. Unsurprisingly, your time in college is short so you should make your best effort to have a great college experience. If you're ever looking for something to do on campus, be sure to come back to this blog for some ideas on how to get involved at NJIT!