Published August 22, 2008
Written by Grace Chen
While academic grades are imperative for job applications and career success, many employers are also looking for well-rounded candidates with extra-curricular activities. Community colleges across the country provide students with both academic and non-academic clubs to promote personal and professional development. As Scottsdale Community College describes, “Participation in the work of various clubs and organizations on campus provides students an opportunity to acquire leadership, planning, and social skills that are important for successful living.”
The Benefits of Clubs and Extra-Curricular Involvement
Community college club and activity opportunities are essential for students interested in creating a well-developed resume for job and career applications. In addition to professional development opportunities, community college clubs also provide students with personal, social, and community service venues, enhancing the overall collegiate experience. As the Associated Press describes, clubs and extra-curricular activities are “extremely important in helping students develop lifelong good working habits […] Students involved in extra-curricular activities learn how to work as part of a team towards a common goal […] Students also learn valuable character traits such as pride, productivity, and organization.”
Community Service Clubs
Most community colleges strive to offer students clubs that can enhance community involvement and volunteerism. Cape Fear Community College, located in Wilmington North Carolina, is one of the many colleges offering a wide variety of service opportunities for students. Specifically, CFCC’s Rotaract Club is one of the most popular student organizations, and is geared towards students ranging from 18 to 30 years of age. As CFCC describes, “The club fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, encourages high ethical standards in business, and promotes international peace and understanding.
The Rotaract Club focuses on community service projects, professional development activities, and leadership development activities.” Now with over 7,000 Rotaract Clubs in 150 countries, this organization’s popularity helps guide students towards community and social opportunities.
Personal Development Clubs
Many community college clubs are geared towards promoting social involvement while providing students with opportunities to meet new peers and friends. Durham Technical Community College, in North Carolina, is one of the many community colleges with a variety of social clubs for students. For example, the Eminence Women’s Leadership Initiative is one of the organizations that are open solely to female students. As the club describes, “This organization is designed to support, encourage, and celebrate the contributions that female students can make to the College Campus. The primary focus will be on skill development in the areas of leadership, mentoring, and networking on campus and […] in the community we serve. Eminence also strives to build “self esteem, self worth, elegance, grace, strength and intellect.”
Professional Development Clubs
For students interested in joining a club that is geared towards a specific career, Nassau Community College, in Garden City New York, has a diverse list of professional clubs, including organizations in accounting, science, Wall Street, and so forth.
For students pursuing careers in physical therapy, the Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy Club welcomes all new students to join their professional organization. As this club describes, “The purpose of our club is to broaden students' awareness and knowledge of the physical therapy and occupational therapy fields as well as to bring together students with common goals.” Club activities include “field trips, community service, social parties, and guest speakers,” and membership is open to all applicants.
Offering another physical/medical option, students can also look into the Pre-Chiropractic Society, where this student-run and social organization provides members with “a wealth of information regarding career opportunities and chiropractic philosophies.” As chiropractic services are one of the largest and fastest growing groups of drug-free health care treatments around the world, this organization strives to teach members about the varying and complex elements of chiropractic wellness. Members are able to work with peers, colleagues, and mentors to find out more about chiropractic careers and services.
How to Join or Start a Club
Most clubs are posted on each community college’s website, as all school-approved clubs and organizations must register with each college. As each club may have its own specific requirements for joining, interested members can contact the club leader or president to find out membership information.
Paired with this, for individuals interested in starting a club, the Association of College and University Clubs (ACUC) is a non-profit organization that works with campus-based clubs in North America and around the world to better aid student organizations. The ACUC’s mission is to “facilitate reciprocal relationships between university clubs, to create a network of persons connected with management of university clubs, to promote the interchange of ideas and information necessary to achieve association goals and to promote and encourage efficient and successful club management.”
ACUC also strives to promote global awareness of the college and university club benefits and services, as nearly 100 clubs around the world participate in this program. Students interested in registering with ACUC to start or promote their club can fill out an application at their website, available at http://www.acuclubs.org/.
References:
Associate of College and Community Clubs, available at http://www.acuclubs.org/
Associated Press, available at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/229388/becoming_involved_in_school_the_benefits.html
Cape Fear Community College, available at http://cfcc.edu/community/
Durham Technical Community College, available at http://www.durhamtech.edu/html/prospective/studentclubs.htm
Nassau Community College, available at http://www.ncc.edu/StudentLife/StudentSupportServices/OfficeOfStudentActivities/Clubs.htm
Scottsdale Community College, available at http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/clubs/
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