If you're like me, you probably join clubs before you honestly know what they are about just to build your resume. The words "looks good on a resume" is music to my ears, so when I heard about IgniteUA, I immediately put in my application since everything from First Year Experience looks good on your resume. I didn't know just what was in store for me when I hit submit, but now I know that it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my freshman year.
So, if you are a transfer or an incoming freshman, here are 11 reasons why you should join IgniteUA next year.
1. Resume Builder
I know I already said this is the reason that I joined IgniteUA in the first place, but it deserves just a little more explanation. When people see you have things like Freshman Forum or IgniteUA on your resume, they know that you are determined to better yourself personally and professionally. It shows determination and aspiration since you took time out of your busy schedule to build skills to aide your life and career.
2. Networking
If building your resume isn't the only perk you're looking for, well do I have news for you. IgniteUA is built on the basis of building relationships with your peers and the UA staff. Chelsea makes sure to bring in a variety of staff members to help students build resources across campus while also ensuring that the members become well acquainted with one another.
3. Icebreakers
If you've ever been involved in a First Year Experience program, you know that there will definitely be icebreakers. So far I've been through Camp 1831, Freshman Forum, and IgniteUA, and it holds true for every single one. At first, I hated icebreakers because I got nervous just at the thought of talking to people I didn't know, but as time went on, I started to look forward to our weekly icebreaker. It was one of the things about IgniteUA that helped me build more confidence and become more social.
4. References
If you do your part and participate in the seven-week program to completion, you are now eligible for an amazing reference from Chelsea, the FYE Coordinator. This is one of the best perks since no matter what, Chelsea will do her best to help you further your horizons on campus. A reference from her will most likely help you get into whatever you are applying for.
5. Small groups
For me, the best part of IgniteUA is the small groups. At first, I was really uncomfortable because I was the only girl in a group of five people, and it didn't help unfamiliar social situations made me uncomfortable anyway. However, in the end, I was so thankful that I was put into the group I was in. I was even happier when another group merged in with ours, bringing more great people into our small community. It was this small group that helped me become the person I am now.
6. Friendship
If you are looking for a way to connect with people on campus, IgniteUA is the way to go. Whether its playing heads up charades before the session starts or staying an hour after it ends to chit-chat with your small group, Ignite helps you build lasting relationships with fellow students. It's the type of friendships that randomly go out to Buffalo Phil's or Avenue Pub and sit there forever talking. It's also the kind that goes to get Steel City Pops even though it's kind of freezing outside and jamming to music on the way back home. I promise you will find great people there because I did, and for that, I'll always grateful.
7. Social Outings
As I stated in the previous reason, you will have plenty of opportunities to go out with your new found friends. Besides the fact that each group is given fifty dollars to spend on a social outing after the completion of Ignite, groups tend to hang out on their own. Once, interns and members both went to Buffalo Phil's after our session and just hung out for like an hour and a half. If you have an intern like I did then they will always keep you in the know about things you can all do together.
8. You learn about yourself
If you join Ignite, you will for sure be more in tune with yourself. One of its primary focuses is to help you realize what motivates you and what your goals are. You learn exactly how you handle situations and what type of leader you are to improve and broaden your skills. By the end, you will feel more confident in yourself to perform in social and professional situations.
9. You plan for the future
Even if you have no earthly idea what you want to do with your life, Ignite will help you come up with plans to help further your life here at UA. The exercises we do help to make it clear what we are passionate about and what we need to be doing to get from point A to point B. I kept all of my worksheets just so I can look back and appreciate how I got where I am and where I will be.
10. You change
This might just be a personal thing, but I owe who I am now to IgniteUA. The first day I went downstairs with my group, I mentioned that I get super uncomfortable in social situations and that I hate talking to people I don't know because it gives me anxiety. However, through this seven-week program, I changed completely. I go out now. If I have a question, I ask.
My favorite thing that I heard the entire semester was that my intern, Noah, told me that he could see that I was coming out of my shell just by my smile when I checked in. Like even though it wasn't much, just a change in the smile I had, just pushed me to let go of the anxiety of people judging me or holding me back from doing what I wanted.
This is literally my biggest accomplishment because I'm truly happy now. I changed my life. I broke up with my boyfriend because I had to become independent in myself, and I became the person I want to be. I will forever be grateful for IgniteUA because I wouldn't have realized this without this program.
11. A small time commitment, a big impact
I know this isn't like many of my articles, but I needed to shed some light on how impactful IgniteUA can be for someone if they stick with it and allow themselves to change. It will be something that I will always remember and something that I will always be thankful for. It was just an hour and a half every Wednesday afternoon for seven weeks, but it left me with something that I will take with me for the rest of my life.
