Campus activism at IU South Bend creating stronger leaders
IU South Bend student activists are cultivating career prospects while improving their campus and communities. Campus activism c...
Campus activism can be demanding but the skills students learn prove essential come graduation. Student clubs and organizations offer students the opportunity to implement classroom lessons into real-world situations and gain career skills.
Even students who are not seeking a political science degree or career in politics can benefit from serving on the Student Government Association. Positions range in prominence and time commitment and teach important leadership, communication, and organization skills some students might have trouble learning in a classroom. Many students thrive better learning firsthand and putting lessons into action.
Student clubs can also help students gain experience while contributing to social and political causes within the South Bend community and nation-wide. The Student Association for Civil Rights and Social Justice is one such club doing important work to improve the IU South Bend campus and the community at large.
Student clubs can also help students gain experience while contributing to social and political causes within the South Bend community and nation-wide. The Student Association for Civil Rights and Social Justice is one such club doing important work to improve the IU South Bend campus and the community at large.
Jamie Emming is an IUSB Graduate Student who works with the SACRSJ. Ms. Emming explains “[The SACRSJ] collaborate with other clubs and community partners to plan, support, and participate in activism on and off campus. It’s a good starting point for students to find out what they are interested in and can help guide those who are struggling to choose a field of study.”
Additionally, student clubs and organizations serve an even more important purpose of steering the campus administration in a direction more in line with student interest. Ms. Emming goes on to note:
“Institutions are always claiming they haven’t heard about problems until they become too large to ignore. Having a committed group of students who know the issues for improvement and respecting their feedback with change would save campuses from decisions that are out of touch with students.”
The IU campus also includes the Civil Rights Heritage Center where Dr. Darryl Heller provides a space for both students and community members to participate in campus and community activism. The CRHC hosts events geared towards stimulating conversations meant to encourage critical thought in a world that is becoming increasingly racially charged.
Activism can also aid in producing networking opportunities for students which greatly improve career prospects in an ever more competitive workforce. The relationships built within activist groups and the communities they work with can help burgeon job prospects and potentially launch careers. According to LinkedIn, networking is the best way to find a job. Only about 5% of people find jobs through job boards while as much as 75% of people secure their jobs via networking.
To jumpstart your career while still in school, check out the various campus clubs and organizations. Many of them have information available on the IU South Bend website, or drop by during IU South Bend’s Welcome Back Fair which happens the first week of the Fall semester. Many clubs and organizations will be tabling for your support.
Tags: IU South Bend, civil rights, social justice, student clubs, Student Government Association, career skills
