While many students concern themselves with enduring a four-day week of classes just to make it out on Thursday night for some drinks with friends, they miss the reason why students go to college in the first place.
During my first years of college, I didn’t have the slightest interest in joining a student organization. However, over my last two academic years, I have been a part of Public Eye News (PEN) and The North Wind. My only regret now is that I did not seize these opportunities sooner.
I’m not saying that enjoying the weekend is a bad thing; however, as of lately, simply passing classes is not enough to land a job in a desired field; a loaded résumé could be the dealbreaker.
On-campus organizations apply skills students learn in the classroom to an environment modeled on specific careers.
For instance, PEN is based on a real news station and is conducted in an actual TV broadcast station. PEN is completely student run. The members write their own stories, have a daily live broadcast and use the same high tech production equipment that one would find at an actual news station.
The North Wind has helped me develop my writing skills to a more professional level. I would feel comfortable and confident assuming a position at a real publication after working at PEN and The North Wind.
Students need to realize that there are organizations for almost any major, such as ASNMU for political science majors, Radio X and PEN for those interested in broadcast, and The Northern Lights for music majors or those who just enjoy a cappella groups; the list is endless.
These organizations are here to serve students, not use them as free labor. Getting involved on-campus is a key ingredient to a more well-rounded individual.
When I was a member of PEN last year, I was also taking the television production class with Mike Lakenen. One day, he sent me and a few others an email looking for some students who had done decently well in PEN and in his class to help with some real productions. I followed him up on his offer. This gave me the opportunity to work a few hours a week at WNMU-TV13 while actually getting paid to run the cameras, audio board and graphics.
Not only do opportunities like this fine tune your skills in a certain field, but they also boost your résumé significantly.
On-campus groups also offer a place for students to make friends with people who have similar interests. When I came to NMU, I didn’t know anyone. I wish I would have been a part of one of these groups back then because now a lot of my close friends are in these organizations.
I started at The North Wind last winter semester writing briefs. This semester I am a part of their staff, and last weekend I was invited to attend the National College Media Conference in Chicago.
At the conference, our staff had the opportunity to listen to speakers from major publications such as the Chicago Tribune and Associated Press. Our staff also had the chance to listen to the student newspaper staff at Penn State that uncovered the Sandusky case. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
Meeting with fellow journalists, photo editors, broadcasters and designers from all over the country was just as much of a thrill.
I’m pretty sure the chance to stay at one of the nicest hotels in Chicago, and have it paid for, will not come knocking on my door in the future.
These groups have provided me with a realistic learning environment that has allowed me to develop good relationships among students and faculty.
You might learn a lot in class, but the place where students can gain real-world experience is within these student organizations.
Get involved on-campus. You pay for tuition, so get the most for your money.
Join a group that interests you and take advantage of the incredible opportunities that become available like presenting at conferences or meeting influential people.
It is too costly not to be invloved on-campus. You owe it to yourself.