“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
Before discussing what campus involvement opportunities exist, let’s spend a moment discussing how to stay in the know about involvement opportunities so that you are ready to act when something new arises. Lucky for you, all of the tips listed below fall under the umbrella of the Engagement, Leadership, and Service (ELS) department within Student Affairs, a centralized area for you to explore organizations, service, leadership, and activities.
1. Search the Involvement Network
You can search through campus organizations by keyword or by category. Click on a campus organization to find contact information, officer names, and ways to join. You can also use this network to search for upcoming events. Looking for something soon? You can filter by what is happening tomorrow or this weekend. Want to keep it virtual? Use the online filter. In addition to searching by theme and category, my personal favorite way to search is by the perks (free food and/or free stuff)! When you click on an event, you can RSVP and add it to your calendar.
2. Check Engage Georgia
Find chances for volunteering and potential experiential learning. You can sort events by cause and also filter by virtual/remote. Another simple way to narrow your search is to look through the list of Community Partners and Campus Groups for ideas on where to serve. Select an event in order to register.
3. Participate in the LEAD Workshop Series
Spend an hour or so developing your leadership style and skills. Consider how to become a leader as you deepen your involvement in your organizations or volunteer efforts. These kinds of workshops could be helpful if you aspire to hold executive positions in your involvement organization, but enhancing skills can also complement any organization member who hopes to inspire collaboration and innovation.
4. Join Listservs
Receive timely news by signing up for e-mail announcements and updates. Note: you must read your e-mail to benefit from this strategy. Here are two ways to get you started, the Student Involvement Listserv and the ServeUGA Listserv.
5. Sign up for Involvement Coaching
The Involvement Ambassadors are available to help you customize your involvement approach. UGA offers many opportunities for you to make your involvement your own and invest in what interests you. To complement your exploration, this service offers individualized, one-on-one help in discovering your interests and finding the best opportunities for you.
The UGA Career Center has written a few articles that help define what campus involvement can look like. I recommend supplementing this quick read with another one of the 4 articles found below to get a comprehensive look at what UGA has to offer for involvement opportunities.
- 3 Important Tips to Start Your Semester Strong at UGA
- Find Your Home at UGA: Getting Involved on Campus
- Why I Am Thankful I Got Involved On Campus, Early!
- How to Plan a Resume-Worthy Semester
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou