Clubs to join for "leadership experience"

Question

One thing that I've regretted about both High School and College was not joining any clubs. Not only would that have enhanced my college experience, not only would I learn something new, but I'd have something to put on my resume and in my b-school application essays. Are there any clubs that I can join/form that can be fun and a good experience? Thanks.

Class2012 · Answer

There are a lot of clubs(Consulting,Marketing,Wine).Join the one in which you are interested and take a leadership role.

GmatNY86 · Answer

Cool thanks. It's interesting. I took a couple of classes in finance and liked them (well mostly the first one, because I didn't like the prof in my first) and that's what I'm basing wanting to go into finance on. I was thinking of investing and starting to follow the market. Other than possibly making money, this accomplishes two things in my mind a) helps me determine if this is something I want to do for a career b) maybe, help with my b-school app.

I found something online about an investment club. I was thinking of doing some research (books for example) and maybe getting some people I know and starting one. That may definitely help with my b-school app.

One thing I really need to develop is leadership. I'm not as type A as some people are. I wonder if through hard work I can develop it, or if it's just something you're born with. Before having my current job, I was always nervous about client interaction. Now less so. I think it's possible develop leadership skills. What do you think?

GmatNY86 · Answer

Well I'm pretty close to starting an investment club. Sounds like great fun and an excellent learning experience. Maybe one day I'll start my own club and that's where the leadership experience will come from...

Edit: I miswrote. I actually meant joining. I also don't believe that this is technically an investment club. It's a meetup group where they go over companies and whatnot, but I don't think they invest. I think it's just educational.

miccarlo · Answer

I think these can be exclusive of one another...join a club because you like it THEN put yourself in leadership positions within that club. trust me, it will make the whole experience that much better.

GmatNY86 · Answer

Thanks. What happens if I join a club that's connected to what I'm interested in doing for an MBA (namely finance) but never get any leadership experience? Does that make any difference in the application?

Jerz · Answer

Leadership isn't about a position, it's about what you do. Come up with an idea for a club event and pitch it to the club officers? That's a kind of leadership. Same goes for leadership experiences at work. Don't think that because you're not a club officer or have the title of "manager" at work that you don't have leadership experiences. I agree with the earlier poster about finding clubs based on what you want to do, not what you think will give you leadership experiences. If you just go for the latter, it'll be much harder to give it your best and have an impact.

GmatNY86 · Answer

Thanks a lot for the tips. That may well help me in the application. I do want to join the club that I did (teaching you to invest), so it's not just a means to an end.

bb · Answer

On a related note, do we/anyone have a list of local organizations to potentially join for non-profit or leadership or just plain extracurricular experience?

lonewolf · Answer

This would be great. I am currently actively searching for the list...

ravsg · Answer

Did you find one? I'll start a new thread to create a list!

Xabier · Answer

For community/non-profit involvement I would HIGHLY recommend Rotaract, which is a program of Rotary International. This is available at the community and the university level. It's best to look at it as a global nonprofit organization and not a networking organization.

Community clubs are available throughout the United States, but they're much more popular abroad.

Community clubs are available throughout the United States, but they're much more popular abroad.

swbluedevil · Answer

Speaking of abroad, you can augment local ECs with volunteer abroad trips (i.e. 2-3 week trips) to third world countries. It's a good way to show 1) compassion 2) international experiences 3) initiative and 4) leadership.

Clubs to join for "leadership experience"

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