Page 17 - University of Oregon Parent and Family Guide

THE STUDENT AND FAMILY TRANSITION Have fun while saving money.
Many campus activities are subsidized by the school, so students can access opportunities they might not be able to afford otherwise. Off-campus trips such as concerts or outdoor club excursions are often a fraction of the actual cost — a good way to try new things with little investment.
Hone skills valued by future employers.
Through co-curricular activities, students get experience fundraising, creating financial plans, running meetings and managing peers — skills that will transfer to almost any discipline. Then there’s that magical word: leadership. Campus organizations are run by members, meaning there are lots of officer positions to go around.
Students can also develop leadership experience through team projects and at on-campus jobs. Writing for or editing a campus publication, working at the school radio station, working as a Teaching or Research Assistant or in a university office — these are all excellent experiences to highlight on a resumé.
Create a network with little effort.
It’s never too soon to learn that everyone you meet has the potential to change your life. Your student shouldn’t wait until graduation to start networking, whether with fellow students or, in the case of organizations with national chapters (such as Fraternity and Sorority Life and volunteer groups), a much larger network of people who can open doors when job searching. If an activity includes intercollegiate competition, they’ll meet students from other colleges with similar interests, and social media makes keeping in touch easy. Suggest your student sign up with LinkedIn and start adding connections now!
Last but not least, statistics show that involvement improves student success. Numerous studies have found that students who get involved on campus have higher rates of retention and graduation as well as higher GPAs. Juggling classes, homework and outside interests requires time management skills which are necessary to college success, and connection and well-being factor in, too.
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The Center for Student Involvement
The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is a great resource to help your student find the communities and opportunities that fit their interests. CSI is located in the Erb Memorial Union room 213. Visit their website for more information: emu.uoregon.edu/csi.