Why Go Greek?

The air is feeling crisp, the line at Shillman’s Dunkin is out the door, and the campus is once again swarming with freshman and their crumpled maps. It’s another September on Northeastern’s campus, and whether you’re a new, or returning student, the back-to-school energy enveloping NU is palpable.
Along with the beginning of every new school year comes the opportunity to get involved with one of Northeastern’s many student groups, and perhaps joining Greek life has crossed your mind at one point. Even if it hasn’t, maybe these benefits will convince you to at least check it out.

• Instant Friends & Social Activities

Being the new kid on campus is always intimidating, which is why joining a sorority can be so great. You’re instantly introduced to a network of like-minded girls similar to yourself. Being apart of an organization with so many young ladies automatically ensures that you will always have a shopping buddy, a crew to watch Gossip Girl with every week, and that someone who is always there to listen to you vent over funfetti cupcakes and pint of Phish Food at 2am. 

• Leadership Development

Whether you’re planning recruitment, organizing socials, or running a chapter meeting, the opportunities to hone your leadership skills are plentiful. Being involved in a sorority enables you to develop invaluable skills such as public speaking, the experience of managing a schedule and following a budget, or the ability to inspire others. Overall, it encourages teamwork, which is an imperative skill to have when pursuing you career after college. 

• Community Service

Greek life in itself is committed to serving the community, and every sorority has at least one cause that they dedicate themselves to. Whether it’s volunteering at a hospital, in a soup kitchen, or with your city’s local girl scouts, you will be introduced and encouraged to actively get involved in your community. Not only will you be making a positive difference, but donating your time to a worthy cause will make you feel good too.

• Networking:

While I was on co-op in NYC, the magazine I was interning for went under. A few nights later I went and got dinner with a sister who was also co-oping in NYC. I told her my dilemma, and expressed how upset I was. The next day she emailed me saying not to worry, she had already mentioned it to her boss, and her boss was calling around to see if anyone needed an intern. I ended up scoring interviews at YSL, Armani, and Kiehl’s all in less than a week from losing my original co-op. In the end, I was fortunate enough to simply move to another magazine within the same publishing company, but the lesson of the story is clear. Being a member of a national sorority provides you with thousands of contacts that can prove to be valuable when it comes to your career.

• Cute Gear ;)

It’s no secret, one of the more material appeals about joining a sorority is all of the cute gear that comes with it. Everything from clothing to accessories to frames and jewelry boxes can be adorned with your sisterhood’s emblem. And who doesn’t like cute, monogrammed items? I know I do!
Going Greek isn’t right for everyone, but if any of this struck your interest, you should definitely be open to checking out Greek life this year!
 
Northeastern University’s formal Panhellenic recruitment is from September 30^th – October 4^th 2010. Follow HerCampusNU on Twitter to stay in the know!