We go to elementary school to get into middle school, and then we go through middle school to get into high school. Finally, we go through high school to get into college, but then, the world of the education we've had for the past 12 to 13 years changes in one summer. It's different, but a good kind of different.
The word "college" was exciting to me as a senior in high school. It meant classes in the huge lecture halls I had only seen in movies, being able to make my own schedule and take classes I enjoyed, and being able to live in a community of people all around my age. Little did I know college had so much more to offer.
There's options to study abroad in countries from Australia to Spain to China. You can join Greek Life from Panhellenic to Professional. There are academic clubs like Financial Management Association to community service such as Lion's Club. There are recreational sport organizations, where you can play any sport, regardless of your skill level. Cultural Clubs as well as Religious Clubs are available on campus to provide a community for many. As you can probably see, there are so many ways to branch out and network throughout campus. The options college has to offer for students are truly endless, and the connections and experiences we students make stick with us, even after college. Being able to share our passion, whatever it may be, with other colleagues provides a community for students of every kind.
College is what I like to call the land of endless opportunities and options, and as many times as it has probably been said, it is a true statement. Organizations and clubs within college, and colleges themselves, offer a vast amount of events and opportunities for students to reach out. There are Career Fairs, Club Fairs, Club Events, Company Seminars, and Greek Life.
For example, Career Fairs are opportunities for students to be able to show a variety of recruiting companies that they are highly ranked potential candidates. These organizations and events offer so much for students in terms of internship experience and jobs, but that's not where it stops--within these organizations is already a networking system among the Millennials and Generation Z. Earlier this year, the Millennials surpassed Generation X in being the largest share of the American workforce (source:pewresearch.org). From being in classes to finding similar interest and joining clubs with friends, our generation is already setting ourselves up for communication with the majority of the working population in the coming years. Not only are colleges preparing us to succeed by connecting us to current recruiters and companies, but they are introducing us to our future colleagues and coworkers as well.
A Cal Poly SLO Alumni told me in a local coffee shop that her only advice to any college student was to "not rush your time in college; just relax and enjoy your journey while you’re there, and do what you love.” College is our time to experiment and experience, and it seems like there’s just so much to do in such a short span of four years. All I can say is that I better get started!
