Kristina Dailing
Daily Egyptian
Take off the fuzzy slippers and hide the TV remote, it's time to get involved with the SIU community.
SIU offers some 400 plus organizations for students to get involved in. These registered student organizations range from constituency groups to religious organizations to clubs that have to do with a certain field of study and future careers.
"It's difficult to get real world experience while in college full time, but by being involved in a student group in a leadership role, those leadership skills will transfer into the workplace," said Housing and Programming Coordinator and Residence Hall Association advisor Andy Morgan.
Students develop skills dealing with time management, organization, communication and leadership that are just as important as GPA to many employers.
"I've talked with many employers that say they would rather hire a student with a 3.0 GPA who has been involved rather than a student with a 4.0 who has nothing else on their resume to support it," Morgan said.
But just as important as learning skills for the workplace, RSO's can also help connect a new student to the SIU and Carbondale community.
"The sooner students get involved with something they have an interest in outside of the classroom, the sooner that they'll meet people who have that like-interest yet are from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds. And they'll start having a connection to people," said Director of Student Development Katherin Sermersheim.
Student organizations can also help students who come from less-populated communities to feel more at home at such a large university.
"We have this big campus of 20,000 students and some students are from communities that are much smaller than that," Morgan said. "But by getting involved they can make this huge place seem that much smaller."
However, these organization can offer much more than just something to do on a Wednesday night or a way to curb loneliness. Student organizations allow participants an opportunity to apply classroom skills and theories before they enter the workplace.
"It's a powerful way to not have to wait until you are out at that first job to test these theories," Sermersheim said. "It's a great way to find your niche while you're still here and be that much more marketable."
New students or even upper classmen who haven't been involved can take advantage of the hundreds of organizations available to make the most of the whole college experience.
"Get involved in at least two student organizations," Morgan said. "One that will relate to your major and two, something that will be fun. It might be an intramural or it could be a fraternity or sorority. If you like doing community service, get involved in some type of community service group.
"There is something out there for everyone."
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Students interested in Registered Student Organizations can contact Student Development at 453-5714 for more information.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
