Get involved, frosh class

It seemed like a routine day as I checked my mailbox and sorted through the plethora of attacking junk mail which ranged from political literature to offers of buying merchandise at discounted prices. It was then when I noticed a letter sandwiched between the piles of spam that I was ready to throw away.

It was an invitation to join an honor society called Sigma Alpha Delta. Apparently, based on my achievements within the college, I qualified to be inducted into this organization. "Like I don't have anything better to do with my time" I thought to myself. However, something came over me, and I decided that giving it a try wouldn't hurt. So I replied and attended the induction ceremony.

During the ceremony, I heard many speeches implying how exclusive and great we inductees are. Initially, I dismissed them as a bunch of fluff that I already heard dozens of times. For a membership fee that can range anywhere from $30 to $70 for these societies, if I wanted to hear how great I was, I would have taken my friends out to dinner.

I pondered as I glanced at my watch waiting for the event to be over so

I could leave. The ceremony went as I expected it to, but I was still curious to what this honor society could do for me.

I attended the first general meeting and was pleasantly surprised how the organization ran. It was almost a corporate-like atmosphere where ideas were generated and tasks that ranged from budgeting to event organization were delegated to members. There was a clear structure and purpose to this particular society that I never expected from my first impression at the induction ceremony.

It has been almost a year since I have been involved in Sigma Alpha Delta and my only regret is not joining sooner. The friendship, skill development, leadership opportunities, and an overall growth as an individual are just some of the factors that can persuade someone to join a student club.

However, these qualities are not easily visible to those that have never been involved in a student club. The sense of camaraderie and definition of what a student club means to its members can be easily understood when a student passes by and sees security urging people to clear a club room at near midnight to prepare for campus closing.

Many students are missing out on the value added experience that a club activity can bring to their college careers. There are over 150 student clubs in Baruch like honor societies such as Sigma Alpha Delta or Phi Eta Sigma, the public speaking club such as Toastmasters, a finance-related club like the Investment Banking Club, or a student-run publication such as The Ticker.

Whatever your interest is, many student clubs can cater to your needs. So, the next time you receive a mailing from one of these clubs or see their flyers posted up, instead of dismissing them as spam, embrace them as opportunities.