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Student Groups Welcome New Members at Engagement Fair

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This week, new and returning students will have the opportunity to join any number of Tech’s hundreds of student organizations during the annual Engagement Week Student Organization Tabling Fair this Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tech Walk.

Each day, representatives from student organizations will be on hand to share information about their group’s mission, goals, and activities. Most organizations let students join on the spot.

Thursday will feature educational, civic engagement/service, performance, political, and production focused organizations. Friday will feature cultural, Greek society, honor society, leisure/recreational, professional/departmental, religious/spiritual, and sports focused groups.

Studies have shown that students who are involved on campus get better grades and more job offers, and are ultimately more satisfied with their undergraduate experience than peers who aren’t involved in an organization or activity outside of the classroom.

"The most rewarding aspect of becoming involved and more engaged on campus is being able to find a community on campus that helps turn Georgia Tech into a place to call home," said Kanchi Patel, a third-year biomedical engineering major who helped organize this year's fair. 

Studies have also shown that the happiest people are those who lead balanced lives and develop close relationships with others.

"We’re social creatures by nature and need emotional connections with others in order to be self-confident and fulfilled," said Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman, licensed psychologist and outreach coordinator for the Georgia Tech Counseling Center. "Social interaction helps us to reduce stress and cope with problems. It also plays a role in keeping us healthy and resisting illness."

Attending an event such as the Engagement Fair can be the first step in building these emotional connections in a new place.

"The key is to make yourself available, be friendly, and open yourself to new people and positive experiences," said Hughes-Troutman. "New friends can be found in class, on the Stinger, or even at the Campus Recreation Center."

For those who may be nervous about the Engagement Fair environment, Patel encouraged that it's designed specifically with those students in mind. 

Kelly Cross, coordinator of Student Organizations and Leadership for the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement, has the following advice for students who plan to attend the fair:

  1. Have an open mind! You may have researched one club over the summer and find you are now more interested in something else.
  2. Start with one organization — it can be overwhelming to try to talk to everyone.
  3. Ask the organization representatives the mission of the organization. The “Why?” is important!
  4. Find something that you’re passionate about. If you love what you are doing, it will look good on your resume. 

The showcase of campus organizations runs Aug. 27–28 on Tech Walk. Students who are unable to attend the Engagement Fair can browse an online directory of all of Tech’s student organizations at www.jacketpages.gatech.edu, or contact the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement at leadandengage@gatech.edu.

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  • Workflow Status:Published
  • Created By:Kristen Bailey
  • Created:08/25/2015
  • Modified By:Fletcher Moore
  • Modified:10/07/2016