Stereotypes are everywhere. In the workforce, within social economic classes, and flowing through schools across the world. They make the world go round. Greek life is one of the most common, negatively portrayed stereotypes. To land that big job after graduation, employers not only look for exceptional performance in your field, but they look for a nice full resume. What’s the perfect thing to fill everything your future boss is looking for? Sorority life. Don’t believe me? Here are seven prosperous things being in Greek life has taught me:
1. Discipline
No, we do not “pay for our friends”. We pay dues to keep our organization up and running-just like most sports teams or clubs do. In most chapters, members must maintain a certain GPA. High scholastic achievement is expected to ensure a successful future after our collegiate experience. Punctuality and professionalism is valued in and out of chapter meetings. Each year we strive to be invited to attend seminars and workshops all across the United States.
2. Philanthropy
Each sorority has its own philanthropy/charity. We spend hundreds of hours a semester raising money and planning philanthropic events. I have learned how important volunteer work truly is to the community. As a nonprofit organization, all of the money directly benefits the chapter's charity.
3. Value Of Traditions
Whether your family practices traditions or not, you learn to respect and hold new ones close to your heart. Each chapter has their own rituals, handshakes and symbols that every member nationwide has in common. It is really a cool experience to meet someone from another school that shares the same secrets and values of the sorority. Once I was waiting on a women who was an alumna member of my chapter and she commented on my lavaliere. We ended up talking for a long time and it was so awesome to have something special in common with a complete stranger.
4. You Can Fit A Whole Bottle of Wine in a Tumbler Cup
Yeah. This is all I have for this one. We know how to have fun.
5. Leadership
There is nothing that can prepare you for a job interview like recruitment can. The most stressful time of the year (next to Greek Sing, obvi) is recruitment. Workshop after workshop, we are trained never to miss a beat. There literally is not a question you won't be able to answer after your first recruitment; and after years of it, you will nail any interview. You are also expected to take on an executive leadership position. Being in charge of a certain part(s) of chapter builds skills you didn’t even know you could have.
6. Time Management
Don’t plan on being late or missing an important event. You will be fined. It may be stupid, but you’ll never be late in the real world. You won’t even dream of it. Thank standards later.
7. Class
Sororities and poise go together like tequila and Cinco de Mayo. Trying to win Greek Goddess? How about homecoming Queen? Sweetheart? Maybe an open class for Greek sing? Can’t do any of those things without being a likable person. Smile. Kill it socially. Dress to impress. All of these things are necessities for the real world. #VineyardVinesForLife
Regardless of what people gather from movies or bad stereotypes, sorority life has been everything but a negative experience for me. It has been a promising adventure that I have been privileged to be a part of. It’s not four years, it’s for life. So the next time you see Greek letters on a shirt, respect and keep it classy.
