Tips for Incoming Freshmen: Get the Most Out of Student Organizations

By Liberti Zimmerman, Career Services Marketing and Outreach Intern

Define your purpose.

Want to meet new people and make new friends? Make a difference at Texas State and feel like you are a part of something? Maybe you know people who benefited from being a part of a particular organization and you want to get in on the action too. Student organizations are great for all those things. Did you know they are great resume builders too? Here are five more reasons to consider joining one or more student organizations:

1. Explore your interests
2. Fulfill leadership roles
3. Gain career-related experience
4. Improve your communication skills
5. Networking opportunities

You can use your experiences to demonstrate qualifications and skills when you apply for an internship and a job. It’s never too early to start thinking about your career goals. Invest some time thinking about what you want to get out of student organizations. What are your interests? What do you value? What kind of experiences are you looking to gain? With over 300 registered student organizations on campus, there is something for everyone.

Explore. Discover. Lead.

• Visit the Campus Activities Campus Student Organizations(CASO) website and search for ACTIVE organizations. You can also attend the student organization fair in the fall or spring. 

          Here are a few types of registered student organizations (RSOs):

1. Honor: While honor organizations may or may not be associated with a specific major or department, grade point average (GPA) and credit hours are determining factors in whether or not you will be eligible to join. The general benefits are academic recognition, networking opportunities, access to resources, career-related experience, and community service.
2. Professional/Academic: Organizations that are associated with your major and career goals can help you gain related experience and skills outside the classroom.
3. Political/Chartered/Multicultural: Do you want to participate in student government at Texas State University, in organizations affiliated with a certain political party, in organizations interested in advancing students of certain ethnicity or a certain gender professionally and socially? There are many student organizations to consider.
4. Greek: Organizations that focus on building strong relationships and networking connections, encouraging high scholastic achievement, and giving back to the community. Visit the Greek Affairs website for information on any of Texas State’s 30 recognized fraternities and sororities. 

• Get involved in the organizations that interest you the most and work on building relationships with the members. They are your future connections.

• Become an officer or join a committee. Employers are always seeking leadership experience.

Showcase your experiences and qualifications.

• Career Services can help translate your experiences, responsibilities, and the skills that you’ve gained in a resume and/or cover letter.

1. Online publications and resources. Download our informational handouts on resumes, cover letters and career portfolios.
2. CareerBeam. Use this resourceful site to help build your resume and cover letter.
3. 48-hour online resume and cover letter critique. Draft your resume and submit it to Career Services here for feedback.
4. Schedule an appointment to discuss and explore your interests and career goals, the internship and job search process, and/or to get feedback on resumes, cover letters, curriculum vitae, etc. Set up an appointment with one of our counselors by calling our front desk at 512.245.2645.

• Career Services can help you communicate the relevancy and quality of your experiences in an interview.

1. Online publications and resources. Download our informational handouts on job interviews, informational interviews and phone interviews.
2. Conduct a mock interview with one of our career counselors. You can request a practice interview here.
3. Interview Stream. Interview Stream is a website that allows you to practice and record mock interviews on your computer at any time. You can critique yourself or send your interview to one of our career counselors for feedback.

Request a presentation. 

Did you know student organizations can request a presentation from Career Services? Inform the leaders of your organization if you are interested. All that is required is the completion of the Presentation Request Form.


Questions about resources or the Career Services website? Call us at 512.245.2645 or visit our website at www.careerservices.txstate.edu.