Involvement and Community: A Foundation for Lifelong Fulfillment and Success
Community and involvement are two areas of life that I continue to appreciate more and more as I become further removed from my time at school. When I left high school, my only regret was not getting as involved as my friends or pursuing as many opportunities. I vowed to change that when I entered college, recognizing that the real value of involvement isn’t just in the moment but in what comes after — your legacy, the mark you leave, and the connections that tend to stand the test of time.
Reflecting on my involvement at the University of Colorado, I see four compelling reasons to get involved:
- Friendships that are Forged: The bonds you form in student organizations often become the friendships that stay with you long after you leave campus.
- Sense of Community: You feel part of something bigger, making your college experience far more meaningful.
- Taking Learning Outside the Classroom: Student organizations are a fantastic playground to practice your leadership and business skills in a real-world setting.
- The Power of Connection: Your involvement provides you with a powerful starting point, from networking to meeting strangers during initial introductions.
While most of the organizations I joined were professional, there is tremendous value in social organizations as well. The beauty of involvement is that, over time, the lines between social and professional can blur. You’ll find your social connections from school afford professional opportunities, and your professional groups create a foundation for lifelong friendships.
Exploring Your Options
To make it more tangible and bring it back to the current student experience, as you enter into your fall semesters, there is an overwhelming plethora of options to choose from, regardless of college or major. Let me make this easy for you — there are no wrong choices. Follow your curiosity and explore; college is the best place to do that anyways. If you think you might be interested in real estate, find that student organization and center and start attending their events. If you think you want to be part of a fraternity or sorority, go rush and see what that experience is like. If you feel like you need a space where you belong, as you don’t fit the “status quo” of what a business school student might look or feel like, go find the spaces and affinity groups at Leeds and across campus that will hold that space for you.
The beautiful thing is that you don’t have to commit to any one organization, and your interests are absolutely allowed to change over time — they likely will.
Engage Deeply in What Sparks Joy
If I were forced to give more specific advice, I would encourage exploration first, then engaging more deeply with the top 1 or 2 organizations that pique your curiosity and excitement the most while staying more passively involved in a few others. Try for one of them to be professional, as you will likely learn more about an industry you may be applying to in the not-so-distant future. Start early — though it’s never too late to get involved. Go to social events, meet your classmates outside a classroom or semi-professional setting, and get to know them. If you’re in a position to, help organize events and raise your hand to volunteer with leadership. There is no better sandbox to improve your skills and learn from your mistakes than the setting of a student organization, and you’ll be surprised by the valuable, transferable skills you can pick up along the way.
Your Investment Yields Lifelong Returns
Your college experience and your future connection to the alumni community starts now. Investing in organizations you care about helps you find your space and build a network that lasts beyond school. Shared experiences create natural bonds, and you’ll always feel connected to those who walked a similar path.
What Involvement Has Meant for Me
Getting involved brought me a sense of purpose, community, and friendships I never expected as a nontraditional transfer student. The relationships I’ve maintained — ski and bike trips with friends from Leeds Consulting Group, roommates, and even just spending time and keeping in touch regularly — directly result from my involvement at Leeds. When I recently held a going away party before my next big move, former student government, consulting group, and CESR Fellows members were all there — precisely reflecting the spaces where we had the chance to meet initially.
Professionally, leadership roles in Leeds Student Government and Consulting Group helped me hone my skills and prepared me for my work on the GOLD Board, where I formerly served as both co-chair of recruitment and chair of the board. Now, in more of an advisory role, I still feel the same about my time on the GOLD Board. I’ve made new friendships, learned about roles in industries I would not have otherwise had the chance to interact with, found purpose in strengthening our young alumni community, and continue encouraging that community to engage with current students and vice versa. I also regularly engage with many GOLD Board members, past and present, finding new friendships and staying connected to a community that continues to grow and evolve.
The Power of Mentorship and Continued Involvement
I cannot speak more highly of mentorship and the importance of having folks in your corner who not only believe in you but push you to be a better version of yourself and help you grow in countless ways. This is a massive part of why I’m grateful for Leeds, its student organizations, and its rich mentorship programs. I’m constantly in awe of how much I learn from others — whether older professionals, current students, or even younger peers — each has something to teach.
Through my time at Leeds, I’ve connected with mentors and mentees who’ve become close friends. I’ve shared special moments, like attending their backyard concerts and connecting over our shared experiences. These relationships have not only been about career guidance but also about finding people who challenge me, make me laugh, and inspire me in ways I never expected. I highly recommend getting involved in mentorship programs at Leeds — they are an opportunity to connect, grow, and give back, all at once.
Conclusion: Start Now, Reap the Rewards Later
The seeds you plant today will grow into a network of support, opportunity, and lifelong friendships. Take the plunge, join something new, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Whether organizing an event, leading a meeting, or just showing up, every bit of involvement adds to a richer, more connected college experience and beyond. The rewards aren’t immediate, but they are meaningful and lasting. You’ll look back and realize how each connection, each leadership role, and each moment of stepping up helped set the stage for your career and life ahead.
So get involved, find your people, and make your mark at Leeds. It’s an investment in yourself that pays dividends long after the college years are over — you’ll thank yourself later and will likely have built a community to share those experiences with.
