The obvious benefit of joining a student society is the impact it will have on your social life. You will meet people who share an interest with you, and you will widen your social network beyond your course and the people you live with.
However, there are also real gains in terms of your employability – the skills, qualities and knowledge you offer to prospective employers, which suggest that you will successfully adapt to life as a graduate in the workplace.
There are three main categories of student society. Best known are the sports societies, which often involve inter-university competitions. Then there are subject-based societies, which enable you to extend your academic knowledge more informally, through guest speakers, field trips and extra-curricular projects.
Finally, there are the societies which don’t fit either category (like circus skills or cheerleading), and might involve setting up a business or w orking in the local community.
While each offers its own benefits, all student societies give you a great chance to enhance your employability, and it’s never too late to join.
All societies depend on events for their success, such as meetings, matches, competitions, trips and fundraising events. Consequently, if you’re an organiser or officer of your society, you will develop lots of experience and expertise in event planning and organisation.
From market research, fundraising and budgeting to promotion and actually delivering on the day, there are all kinds of skills which you could use in a job and which any employer would value.
Even if you aren’t an active member of a student society with an administrative position, you will demonstrate a number of qualities simply by becoming a member. Firstly, you will be a team player who is able to show commitment to fellow members of the society.
Secondly, by succeeding in your academic work alongside your participation in a society, you will demonstrate time management skills and come across as a well-rounded individual.
Now it’s that time when societies choose their new core members like President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary for the academic session 2020-21. This time is very curious and full of excitement for all new final year students who will be leading the societies on the seniors path and take charge on responsibilities.
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