Student associations and groups provide an outlet for destressing, building professional networks, or making friends.
Institutions often provide ways for student associations to be created, but there is always more work that can be put into providing students with the organizations that they could significantly benefit from.
Involvement in these clubs is more than just a way for students to make friends. Those who were highly involved in campus organizations were three times more likely to be considered for jobs than uninvolved students, and those who are only moderately involved are two times more likely to be considered. In addition, those who participated in organizations were considered more career-ready and more satisfied with their experience at university. Being involved also comes with mental health benefits, such as stress relief and social networks.
Academic clubs
The easiest clubs to become involved in are those created for academic purposes. Surrounding students with other active students in their field of study is beneficial for both their social network, as well as their academic progress. These are often directly related to their field of study, such as an engineering organization like IEEE. They are often large, interconnected organizations, giving students many ways to connect with people such as future employers, professors, and experts in your profession.
Advocacy clubs
Outside of classwork, advocacy and social awareness clubs are another way to connect students with like-minded people. These often focus on directly benefiting the community at your college or the city around it. For those who are threatened by certain issues, finding groups which gives them a larger voice to better advocate for themselves empowers them. These also shine brightly on any resume for future employers, as they show that you are willing to better the world around you—especially for students heading into social work or other advocacy industries.
Leisure clubs
From musical instruments to sports to gaming - these types of associations allow students to find others to enjoy their time with. Many colleges provide a framework for students to create their own group, usually with a petition of signatures. Encourage students to form their own groups on campus to diversify student associations based on what current students are interested in.
Cultural clubs
Cultural clubs are usually smaller, but just as prevalent as the larger organizations. These are places for minority groups to feel at home. It is also a place for those who do not directly belong in those groups to learn more about them, giving them a broader perspective on the world. These are often a subset of advocacy groups, but usually have a more personal vibe than a much larger, country-spanning organization.
Public Service clubs
Some of the most attractive organizations for potential employers are those focused on public service. Many types of clubs can fit into this category. For example, academic clubs could have some function in helping a local city with their learned expertise. Advocacy clubs overlap greatly here, such as protesting unjust laws or advocating for minority groups. There are other clubs that are more directly beneficial. From helping the homeless, cleaning up your community, or combatting the mental health crisis, these types of groups can directly help a lot of people in need.
No matter what kind of institution you run - from a small community college to a huge university - students should have a diverse set of student association options to enjoy outside of their classes. Whether from stress relief, academic advancement, or public service.