Whether one of your New Year’s resolutions was to grow your bank account, get serious about your finance major, or simply try to make the most of your summer internship paycheck, there’s never a bad time to build your finance knowledge — especially as inflation rises, employment opportunities decrease, and every dollar counts a bit more than it did yesterday. While the topic has inspired plenty of courses, books, podcasts, and social media accounts that make for good summer homework, one of the best resources might just be waiting for you once you’re back at school in the fall: on-campus organizations.Â
Not only do clubs offer a wealth of knowledge — no pun intended — to rival what courses and online resources provide, they also open unique opportunities to network with professors, industry experts, and peers, all while building up your resume with real-world experience in an environment that is still tailored toward learning. And you can reap these benefits regardless of what you’re studying.Â
If you’re not pursuing a business-related degree, participating in these clubs can help expand your financial wellness and diversify your community. But if you are, joining clubs might be extra transformative, as acceptance into certain investment-related clubs can help secure relationships and even internships that could transform your career.Â
Finance-focused student orgs span various parts of the financial industry, from macro-level investing to personal financial management. To get you started, here are six types of clubs that can help you achieve your goals, wherever they fall on the spectrum.Â
Personal Finance Clubs
If you’ve been hit with TikTok after TikTok about opening a Roth IRA versus maximizing your employer’s 401K match program, or you’ve seen one too many videos on budgeting systems and aren’t sure which one is the best, a personal finance club might help you meet your goals. You’d also reap the benefits of learning from the experiences of peers with a similar cash flow to you, and maybe even pick up an accountability buddy to grow with along the way.Â
Traditional Investment Clubs
At a time where the economy feels uncertain more often than it feels steady, learning the inner workings of the stock market through the hands-on experience traditional investing clubs provide can go a long way. If you have Wall Street aspirations, though, try to find out if your school has an organization dedicated to fund management. Certain schools also offer more exclusive, tailored pathways to financial management careers outside of the classroom that could be worth looking into if you’re looking to build a competitive edge.Â
Alternative Investment Clubs
Maintaining a diversified portfolio is Investing 101, and clubs are here to match that energy. Many universities have organizations tailored toward students interested in obtaining other forms of income and property, such as through real estate, venture capitalism, and private equity.Â
Entrepreneurship Clubs
If you’ve wanted to be your own boss after watching a few DITLs from emerging founders or dreamed of starting your own company after a few episodes of Shark Tank, an entrepreneurial club might just match you with the right people and opportunities to help you achieve your goals.Â
But even if a self-made business wasn’t in your original plans, side hustles are becoming the norm for Gen Z. Joining an entrepreneurial club can help you approach opportunities proactively, improving your chances of finding one that is more aligned with your values, skills, and ambitions.
Consulting Clubs
Many schools offer various schools dedicated to consulting, or advising companies from all backgrounds, both for-profit and not-for-profit. Participating in these clubs can help open doors to more jobs by building up your work experience with real companies and allow you to contribute positively to your community. Because professional consultants also often work on multiple projects or work a full-time job alongside their consulting roles, participating in these clubs can also give you a taste of managing those commitments, should you want to pursue a similar workload after graduation.Â
Affinity-Based Clubs
Many schools have finance-related clubs to support historically marginalized communities within the industry, including people of color and women. These spaces can help you feel a bit more comfortable in industries that don’t have a history of being inclusive or equitable, and connect you with others with similar experiences. They may be especially helpful to you if you haven’t had mentors or role models in your family or community to follow when it comes to finances, personally or professionally.