12 Reasons Why You Should Join a Student Organization

Students are busy. Between classes, work, homework, family and other commitments, there is a lot to balance. So why would I suggest you add another thing to that list by joining a student organization? Because it can impact your career and student experience now — and after college. You’ll develop strengths and skills that could have a positive and broad influence as you enter the workplace — something that the 2025 Bentley-Gallup Force for Good survey identified as important: Most Americans surveyed said that a business’ social impact is paramount.     

Joining a student organization is more than getting involved on campus. It’s about building friendships, sharing experiences and creating memories that stay with you long after graduation. 

Here are 12 reasons why you should join a student organization while earning your college degree. 

1. You’ll learn more about yourself and increase your self-belonging.  

Joining a student organization presents many opportunities to learn more about yourself, and your goals and strengths. You can learn from how other students handle certain situations and even test your own knowledge. You can also find out what you’re good at, whether that’s multitasking, staying organized, generating ideas or serving others. This self-awareness will be beneficial in your future career.   

2. You’ll gain a sense of community.   

Hannah Tenecota ’27, a double major in Marketing and Management, joined Bentley’s Student Organization Support (SOS) team. Part of the Student Programs and Engagement Office, SOS serves as a point of contact and support for organizations on campus.  

“Joining an organization has allowed me to find a community I can always lean on for support. It has given me the opportunity to build meaningful connections, surround myself with people who encourage me to grow and create a sense of belonging on campus,” Tenecota says. “Through this community, I have found people who celebrate my successes, support me through challenges and make my college experience feel more like home.”   

3. You can use your voice.  

The Bentley-Gallup survey found that most Americans believe business and government have the power to make a positive impact but are falling short of their potential. Joining a mission-driven student organization, such as the Student Government Association, gives future business leaders the opportunity to advocate for others, amplify their voices and influence positive change.  

4. You’ll develop “people skills.”  

In addition to the technical skills you learn in college, “people skills” are those that allow you to effectively interact with others, like communication, attitude and work ethic. Participating in a student organization not only teaches you these skills but also helps you broaden and improve those you already have. You’ll learn the best way to communicate with both individuals and large groups, and you’ll gain emotional intelligence as you develop new relationships.

5. You’ll learn how to work with a team.  

Knowing how to work well with a team is an essential skill for any career. Being in a student organization teaches you how to do this by putting you in situations where you are required to take advice from others, as well as give your own.  

Health Industries major Sadie Fitzpatrick ’28 learned this through her involvement with Bentley’s Arts and Performance Organization. “Through student organizations, you can be a part of a group where you’re exposed to diverse perspectives and dynamic ideas that challenge you to become a stronger leader and better version of yourself. It’s a chance to grow alongside others while working toward a mission you’re genuinely passionate about.” 

6. You’ll get networking opportunities.  

Another great benefit of student organizations? Networking. Meeting new students, making connections and building relationships will all help down the line when you’re looking for a job. Many organizations are professionally focused and host events with alumni or panel discussions with local professionals.    

7. You’ll apply the skills you’ve learned in class.  

Being part of an organization allows you to put all those things you’ve been learning in class to the test in real-world situations. You’ll get to learn what works and what doesn’t, and you’ll be able to take that knowledge back to the classroom, and then, of course, along with you in a future career.  

A great example is DECA, a nonprofit organization driven to prepare students for careers in various business and finance fields. They do this by providing DECA scholarships, sponsoring national DECA competitions, and holding conferences where students can be mentored by experts in these fields.  

“Through Bentley DECA, our members have the opportunity to engage in many industry-specific case studies, such as financial statement analysis, that stem from the transferable skills we’ve learned in our courses,” says Finance major Sal Conte ’28. “Professors teach the material; DECA will give you a chance to compete and apply your skills.” 

8. You’ll learn to engage with diverse groups of people.  

Chances are that the organization you choose to participate in will include a diverse group of people — and this is also the reality of the working world. 

According to the Bentley-Gallup Survey, Gen Z believes that businesses should be promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. A student organization is an opportunity for you to learn how different people respond and react to certain situations. Those that focus on identity and advocacy — such as the African Student Association and La Cultura Latina — could help you develop skills to promote an inclusive work culture now and at your future employer.   

9. You’ll gain leadership skills.  

Becoming a leader or an officer in an organization will help you develop leadership skills that will be invaluable in all areas of life. Khoa Pham ’27 says his roles — president of Vietnamese Student Association, treasurer/secretary of Bentley Asian Student Association and vice president of professional activities of Delta Sigma Pi — have given him confidence as a leader. 

“I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t mean having every answer yourself,” Pham says. “It means listening to different perspectives, making decisions when needed and helping the group move toward a shared goal. Those experiences have made me more confident taking initiative while also being more accountable to the people I work with.”    

10. You’ll get a break from your studies — and have fun.  

Concentrating on schoolwork is obviously important during college but giving your mind a break is necessary (and beneficial). While taking part in club activities, you’ll be able to socialize with like-minded individuals and learn as much from them as you do your schoolwork. Bentley’s hip-hop dance group CRAZE, for example, has built it into their mission to be “a fun, energetic, hip-hop dance group” committed to a healthy and active lifestyle and self-expression.

11. You’ll expand your résumé by gaining real-world experience.  

There’s no arguing that organizations and activities look good on a résumé. Showing employers that you participate in — or, better yet, lead — a student organization will demonstrate that you’re hardworking and can handle multiple responsibilities. Students on the Campus Activities Board, for example, have organized and managed sold-out Spring Day concerts: Flo Rida in 2026 and Diplo and Jack Harlow in 2022.  

Pham, a Finance major, applied lessons from Bentley student organizations to a finance internship. “My experience in student organizations helped me adjust to the professional environment because I was already used to coordinating with different people, managing deadlines and communicating my ideas clearly. Taking on responsibilities within those organizations also made me more comfortable asking questions, receiving feedback and being accountable for my work.  

“During my internship, I was able to bring those skills into projects involving real cost data and contribute as part of a professional team. It showed me that student involvement is not separate from career preparation it can give you practical experience that directly shapes how you perform in the workplace.” 

Dheekshitha Sriram ’28, a double major in Finance and Data Analytics, agrees.  

“Getting involved outside of the classroom has shown me many things I did not expect to learn as a student,” says Sriram, who is a student organization support assistant at SP&E and a program manager for the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center. She also serves as chair of the Allocation and Internal Audit Committee, is on the executive board of South Asian Student Association and is in Alpha Kappa Psi. “Through my involvement in both student organizations and campus jobs, I have learned how to plan large-scale events and gained real-world experience in everything from managing budgets and working with vendors to communicating with different people and managing my time. These are skills that have been incredibly valuable in preparing me for the real world and my corporate experience this summer.” 

12. You’ll give back to the community.  

According to the Bentley-Gallup Survey, 55% of Americans believe businesses have a positive impact on society. Many student organizations provide opportunities to give back to the community, whether through acts of service, sponsoring events or hosting charity drives. Experiences like these can also help students understand how businesses and organizations can contribute to the communities around them.   

No matter where your academic journey takes you, look for ways to get involved in student organizations. Your ROI — return on involvement — is the product of your engagement in programs and leadership experiences and our department’s support of your Bentley journey. We are here to help you connect and grow. All you need to do is invest. 

*This article was originally published on October 18, 2018, and most recently updated on September 11, 2026.