Jasmine Lam: Getting Involved at SCU
Starting college can be pretty overwhelming. When you step onto campus for the first time, it's like being hit with a truckload of choices in terms of clubs and organizations to join. There's everything from business organizations to cultural clubs to intramural sports, and it's hard to figure out where to start. When I first got to SCU, I was all about saying "YES" to everything. I wanted to try as many things as possible, whether it was to progress my career or just to discover my interests. With time, I found organizations within the business school that I enjoy being involved in like Delta Sigma Pi, one of the three professional business fraternities on campus, Leavey Ambassadors, and the Peer Career Consultant program. Outside the business school, I worked to diversify the organizations I joined, so I explored clubs in the Multicultural Center as well as Club Tennis.
Looking back, there are a few things I wish someone had told me before my first year:
- Don't miss out on the university involvement fair. It's a great chance to learn about new organizations and discover what's out there!
- Just go for it! If a new friend invites you to a club meeting, why not? You never know who you might meet.
- Start by joining clubs that catch your interest, and then, over time, focus on a couple that you want to be a part of (maybe even take on a leadership role).
- Be a sponge! Take in as much as you can from guest speakers and older members of the clubs you join. There's a ton of knowledge to soak up from other people.
Personally, clubs and organizations have been the highlight of my college experience. The people I've met and the memories I've made are priceless and something I will cherish forever. There are so many ways to dive into campus life, so don't be shy – go out there and make the most of it :)