I don’t know about any of you, but I was a HUGE fan of ABC Family’s hit show “Greek” when it was still on the air.
The series chronicles the lives of students in the Greek system at a college in Ohio and how they deal with different situations that are synonymous with the collegiate experience.
Although you could take away many lessons away from this show, I think one of the biggest ones you learn about Greek life is about how to use your fraternity or sorority experience to your advantage.
The show’s leading female protagonist, Casey, is unsure about what she wants to do until she meets an alumna of her own sorority who helps point her in the right direction. She eventually uses her networking skills to earn an internship in Washington, D.C. — all thanks to the connections she made through her sorority.
While this may seem like a fairy tale of sorts, this actually can happen in real life if you put yourself out there!
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Keep track of your brothers/sisters from your chapter and see where they land. If you know anyone who’s in the same career as you, don’t be afraid to reach out for advice and help. They will be able to help steer you in the right direction by looking over your cover letters and resumes — or even becoming one of your references. They will be more than happy to help you succeed!
- Another powerful resource is LinkedIn. Many Greek organizations (such as my own) have official groups on LinkedIn where you can connect with sisters/brothers from around the nation and world! Women from my sorority often post jobs in the group and are active in the discussion boards, so you can quickly get advice about your career or even find a lead on a job. If you’re not already in your organization’s group, join it today — it could make all of the difference in your job search.
- Don’t be afraid to attend a national convention. This could prove to be a great networking experience for you to meet new brothers and sisters from across the nation. You’d be surprised just how many people you meet in such a short amount of time. Team up with one of your closest brothers/sisters and make the trip together so you feel less nervous about it.
- If you have the chance, try to take up a leadership role within your chapter. Not only is it a great experience to learn more about how to become a successful leader, but it will also be a wonderful addition to your resume. Being a leader of a Greek organization speaks volumes about you and will help you stand out from dozens of other applicants during your job and internship search.
Have any of you been able to land a job or internship because of connections you’ve found from your fraternity or sorority? I’d love to hear it — tell me about it in the comments!
