Involvement Fair allows students a look at what Tech has to offer
By Brian Sharrow / Student Publications
Members of Musician's Network perform for passerby during the Student Involvement Fair, which was held last week from Aug.28-31 on Skiles.
More than 100 organizations pitched themselves to students at this year's Student Involvement Fair, which took place Monday through Thursday of last week.
Students who passed by Skiles walkway between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on those days were able to learn about a wide variety of student groups and Atlanta non-profit organizations.
Different days of the fair were dedicated to different types of organizations. On Monday, the fair hosted honor societies, departmental or professional organizations, fraternities and sororities. Tuesday featured recreation and sports clubs, while cultural, diversity and religious groups were represented on Wednesday. The event concluded Thursday with over 60 service organizations at the volunteer segment of the fair.
Similar to FASET recruitment, the Involvement Fair is also a second chance for underclassmen to get involved in extracurricular activities on campus. For freshmen, the information they receive at FASET is presented in such a short amount of time that it can be overwhelming. The Involvement Fair is a more in-depth look at the many opportunities available to students at Tech outside of the classroom.
Students are encouraged to get involved early in their college careers, but for those who miss the extracurricular boat, initiatives like the Student Involvement Fair make it easier for upperclassmen to find out what opportunities are available to them.
"Many students make the mistake of waiting to get involved until their second year and then don't know how to get involved because they aren't as plugged in to all the publicity that goes out to freshmen," said Danielle McDonald, director of Student Involvement.
The fair is also a boon for both on- and off-campus organizations that are looking to recruit students.
"[It] is an essential part of our recruitment efforts," said Aubrey Harris of Moms, Dads and Kids, Inc. The organization, which, according to www.volunteermatch.org, aims to "strengthen families in Atlanta by providing counseling and educational opportunities to foster economic advancement," was represented at the fair on Thursday.
"[We] found out about the fair...by contacting different universities," Harris said.
Other service agencies present to recruit on Thursday included Refugee Family Services, Mobilizing Opportunity for Volunteer Experience, Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities.
Although the fair showcased a wide range of involvement opportunities, it's uncertain whether students who saw the fair will actually get involved.
Some students expressed feeling overwhelmed by their academic load and being unsure of whether they had enough time for extracurricular activities.
"I have a very busy schedule and I don't know if I'll be able to join [an organization]," said Darren Dickenson, a third-year Industrial Engineering major.
McDonald, who organized the fair, had a different, more optimistic, take on things.
"There are involvement opportunities for everyone's lifestyle and schedule. Some involvements only take one hour a week," McDonald said.
She pointed out that finding time to get involved "is just a matter of making the right involvement choices and [practicing] time management."
"Most students say that they manage their time better when they are involved," McDonald said.
To further illustrate the benefits of extracurricular involvement, McDonald noted research that shows involved students are much more satisfied with their college experience and are more likely to graduate.
Wondering what to get involved in?
McDonald offered a simple piece of advice that can help put things in perspective for students.
"They should get involved in one thing that is strictly for fun and stress relief, one thing that challenges them, and one thing that will help them in their career," McDonald said.
"Years after you graduate it won't be the classes you remember, it will be the relationships you make and the experiences you have that you will remember."
