At the University of Utah, there are many ways students can get involved on campus, cultivate a passion, find a much-needed source of entertainment and expand elements of personal growth. Organizations like the Hinckley Institute, The Institute of Religion, and the Pioneer Theater Company aim to do just that.
Clubs are another way to get the campus community and involvement that many students desire.
Ryleigh Hertzburg, vice president of marketing at the Accounting Club, believes there is value in connection, among other aspects, to clubs at the U.
“Joining clubs is to connect with people. I think part of the college experience is hopefully making friends, finding new people to connect with and developing a valuable lifelong network,” Hertzburg said. “Believe it or not, the accounting club is not just for accounting majors.”
Students are often unnerved by what they think a club entails. Still, Hertzburg and others within the university’s student body want to encourage students to break past that fear and become involved in different areas of the overall student body.
“I think sometimes keeping your eyes peeled for things that you wouldn’t normally get involved with are the most fun,” Hertzburg said.
Ty Martinez, a political science major and Model United Nations club outreach coordinator, shares similar sentiments. He adds that the skills students can develop, such as interview skills, resume creation, and public speaking, create long-lasting opportunities that stretch far into the future.
“People will look at you differently and want you for internships, opportunities, jobs because you have that extra bit of capability for their company,” Martinez said.
Through clubs like the Accounting Club and Model UN, students expand their skill sets outside of the classes they may be taking. Public speaking, writing, research and organizational skills are beneficial to students when seeking out opportunities like internships locally, internationally and domestically, as well as potential jobs.
Other student-led clubs and organizations offer similar opportunities.
Tushita Sinha, president and founder of the University of Utah Red Cross club, believes participation in clubs on campus is important for developing life skills and gaining firsthand experience in a specific field. However, she added that harnessing a passion for whatever organization students join is also critical.
“We [students] get so busy with classes and other things in life that we kind of forget to just follow whatever we actually like to do. I feel, especially at the U, we have clubs for basically everything and anything you like,” Sinha said.
It can be challenging for college students to stay motivated within degree programs without interest or passion in one’s life. Students need to understand the significance of balance. Clubs can help establish this additional life skill within individuals. Students can find clubs through the Campus Connect platform or attend different tabling events held during the fall and spring semesters.
“The most important thing to be involved on campus is to be present, to be there where things might be happening. I guarantee you will find something that piques your interest,” Martinez said. “You don’t have to go 100% or 110% all of the time, but being present where things are happening and getting the opportunity to meet people is going to be monumental in you being involved as a student.”
