Collegiate extra-curricular activities aid in job search
Online Editor
For many students, conventional wisdom says that extra-curricular activities (ECAs) can help them stand out in resume and job interview situations. However, there are some sources out there that say ECAs have no real impact on potential employers. That being said, it is important to talk to people who are well versed on this subject like those who facilitate ECAs, employment experts, and students that are involved in ECAs.
Kim Kocak is Coordinator of Student Life and Leadership at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (Williams Campus) and helps facilitate ECAs for students.
“I work to enhance and expand on academic learning through co-curricular events and programs which offer students and opportunity to extend beyond the classroom,” Kocak said. ECAs are not just beneficial academically, Kocak said. Rather, they reach into a student’s personal life, as well.They impact a student’s life in two ways, Kocak said. Being involved on campus helps students become more aware of resources and support than the traditional student knows of. It also provides an outlet for a student to make connections, she said. Students looking to get involved with ECAs can get in correspondence with the dean of students or the student government.
Theresa Maher is Vice President of Media and Partner Services for jobing.com, and she deals with employers from many different fields on a daily basis. “On a scale of 1 – 10, ECAs place a student’s resume in the 6 – 8 range, though it varies among employers.” Maher said. ECAs, combined with job experience, can set a candidate apart from others, according to Maher. “If a candidate has 20 years of experience, but none of it relates to the job at hand, it does me no good. Employers need candidate who are going to make a measurable, positive difference in the organization,” Maher said.
Britanee Hudson is student who participates in ECAs at Mesa Community College. Hudson is the executive director of the Events Programming Council. A desire to help students served as the catalyst for getting Hudson involved with ECAs. “I specifically wanted to help other students become more familiarized with resources and opportunities on campus that I was unaware of my first semesters here,” she said. Though ECAs have many benefits, adding something to the student’s plate often causes the concern of an adverse affect on grades.
“Being involved doesn’t get in the way of my academics only because of my determination to not let it do so,” Hudson said. “It is a lot to juggle, but through time management, prioritizing and knowing my own limits, I can balance it.” ECAs build one’s resume into something which can separate them from the rest of the job-searching world, Hudson said. “My involvement in ECA’s has definitely built my resume into one that stands out among the stack.” Students looking to get involved with ECAs should be aware of the responsibilities, Hudson said.
“Get involved in something you love and the rest will follow. Be prepared to work hard. Sometimes harder than you think you can. Know when to ask for help, know when to delegate responsibility. The rewards outnumber the compromises infinitely.”
