Benefits of joining an IGNITE club

Explore on-campus clubs to connect with peers, develop skills and enhance your student life!

Post-secondary life brings numerous responsibilities and challenges. From meeting assignment deadlines to working on your own portfolio, higher education can indeed be stressful. However, one of the main perks of being a post-secondary student is the amount of extracurricular activities available on campus.

Volunteering, finding a job on campus or representing your peers as a varsity athlete – you can truly try it all! Another fantastic way to enhance your student life and boost your resume is by joining or starting a club.

At Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber, IGNITE offers over 35 clubs. Whether you’re into board games, dancing or even human resources, there’s a group of people who share your passions. If you have a unique club idea, you can create your own and start a new community. Joining a club not only benefits your social and academic life but also helps you develop essential interpersonal skills.

Learn more about the benefits of joining a club on campus and consider starting or joining a club today – applications open on Aug. 6!

You can build your professional network

Three people sitting at a table and laughing together. — *Picture by Brooke Cagle via Unsplash.*

You shouldn’t wait until your third or fourth year to start networking with industry professionals. The earlier you start networking, the better, as it can put you steps ahead of the competition.

By joining a club on campus, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your networking horizons by meeting people from different programs. Even if some club members aren’t in the same industry as you, they can potentially introduce you to future employers or serve as a reference. This is especially effective if you join a club that relates to your studies – such as the HR Club, the Humber Art Club and the Humber Rocketry Club – because you’ll be networking with first-hand industry connections.

Using a club on campus to network is also a great option if you’re not yet comfortable reaching out to industry professionals on LinkedIn. Connecting with students who aspire to enter the industry can give you the confidence to start networking on LinkedIn.

You’ll develop new skills

Two women discussing while looking at a laptop. — *Picture by Mimi Thian via Unsplash.*

Speaking of networking, it requires you to show off your communication skills. Joining on-campus clubs can help you develop communication and interpersonal abilities.

While your courses provide you with the theory, learning goes beyond the classroom. Many soft skills, like time management, problem solving and communication, are essential to any job position and best developed through practical experiences. Participating in on-campus clubs allows you to cultivate these skills while broadening your worldview by interacting with students from different backgrounds. Clubs on campus are also incredibly great for enhancing teamwork and collaboration skills, which are vital for career success.

Starting your own club involves significant leadership responsibilities, helping you hone your delegation and managerial skills. Joining clubs like the Bolly Beats Dance Club and the Guelph-Humber Dance Club will develop both your hard and soft skills simultaneously.

Employers highly value extracurricular activities when reviewing job applications. So, join or create a club today and show potential employers that you are proactive and capable of working on a team.

Clubs can reduce stress

Three women sitting on a wooden bench by a tulip flower field and they are laughing. — *Picture by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash.*

Post-secondary life is a journey full of unique experiences, but it can also be very stressful. Spending long hours in the library studying for a test and pulling all-nighters are part of students’ routines. That’s why finding an activity to relieve your stress and help you unwind is crucial.

The reality is that high levels of stress can take a toll on your academic performance, affect your attention and concentration and even lead to major health issues like heart disease and depression. Engaging in extracurricular activities like mindful exercises or joining a club can help you experience positive emotions and reduce stress.

You can find long-lasting friendships

Three women lifting their hands. — *Picture by Simon Maage via Unsplash.*

Despite the academic trials of post-secondary education, it can be even more challenging to adapt to adult life. Transitions like moving out of your parents’ house or adjusting to a new environment add to the mix. Among these changes, having friends to rely on is crucial.

Joining a club offers a fantastic opportunity to meet students who share your passions, making it easier to form meaningful connections. Building a supportive social circle can provide you with advice, companionship and a sense of belonging.

By participating in on-campus clubs, you not only enrich your college experience but also have the chance to find long-lasting friendships and support.

Group of students hanging out on campus. — *Picture by Dennis Zhang via Unsplash.*

Now that you’ve discovered some of the benefits of joining a club in higher education, why not dive into the fun?

Explore the list of clubs available across Humber and UofGH campuses. If you’re interested in starting your own club, you’re in luck – club applications opened on Aug. 6. Follow the four-step process and start your community today!

Feature image courtesy of Meredith Spencer via Unsplash.

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