By Sabrina Carroll
Student Life Editor
Joining clubs and student organizations is an excellent way to build up your experience and network with possible connections to employment. Because WC offers so many opportunities to become a part of the campus community, it can be difficult to figure out where to start.
You simply cannot go wrong with joining clubs. You meet new people, learn more about a subject area, and in a lot of cases, give back to the greater good. The only thing you can do wrong is join too many, so make sure you’re only taking on what you can handle.
Below is a list of some of the most popular majors and some organizations WC offers. Don’t limit yourself to the clubs that only coincide with your major. If there is a field you are interested in but not specializing in, consider joining a club in that field.
Also listed are possible on-campus jobs that can correspond well with your major or area of interest. Again, while having a campus job gives you experience, enjoyment, and money, it can also be stressful if you take on too much.
Psychology:
Clubs/Organizations:
Psychology Club: This organization focuses on mental health and provides special opportunities for students wishing to become psychologists.
Best Buddies: This is an organization that pairs up students with an adult with an intellectual/developmental disability, and they become “best buddies.” Buddy pairs go to group events together such as movie nights and barbecues about twice a month. They also hang out one-on-one.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: This is a campus organization that promotes living a healthy lifestyle.
Psi Chi: This is the Psychology Honor Society.
Jobs:
Local Kent County schools: Become a classroom or teaching assistant and work with children.
Participate in senior thesis experiments: Many times, seniors need fellow students to participate in experiments in order to receive data. Sometimes these are required for a psychology course. On a few occasions, you are able to get paid.
History:
Clubs/Organizations:
The Alexander Hamilton Society: This club focuses on different aspects of economic, social, and foreign policy.
History Society: This is a special group for those interested in learning more about history.
Phi Alpha Theta: This is the History Honor Society.
Jobs:
The C.V. Starr Center: This center looks at America’s history.
Political Science:
Clubs/Organizations:
College Democrats or Republicans: These are organizations based on the political parties.
Maryland Student Legislature: Students can learn about local and national problems.
Jobs:
Local campaigns/meetings: Consider reaching out to local people running for office to get an inside look on the campaign.
Sciences:
Clubs/Organizations:
American Chemical Society: This organization looks deeper into chemistry education.
Beta Beta Beta (Biology)
Gamma Eta (Chemistry)
Health Occupations Students of America: This organization focuses on improving health care across the country.
Jobs:
Local lab experiments: Similar to the senior theses, research local organizations completing lab work and see if there are student opportunities to participate.
English:
Clubs/Organizations:
Sigma Tau Delta: This is the English Honor Society.
The Elm: This is WC’s newspaper.
“The Collegian”: This is a WC writing publication.
Writers’ Union: This is a club where interested writers can sharpen their skills.
Poetry Club: This is a club for those interested in poetry.
Jobs:
Local papers: Reach out to local publications to see if they would like a student to cover a campus or town event/activity. This can also be a great way to get published and get your name out there.
The Arts:
Clubs/Organizations:
WACApella: This is the campus a capella singing group. They perform at many campus events and perform their own concerts throughout the year.
Senior Theses Productions: You can become a part of a senior thesis performance in many different ways. You can act, help out with the set, or organize design aspects.
Sho’Troupe: This is a dance group that performs at sports events on campus throughout the year.
Jobs:
Gibson: If you work for a show in the Gibson Center for the Arts, many opportunities lie ahead. You can become an usher, sound equipment manager, or help out with props/makeup. Many times, you’ll get the added bonus of seeing a show for free.
If you see something on this list you may be interested in participating in, visit https://www.washcoll.edu/campuslife/student-clubs.php for information about club meetings and who to contact about joining.