For many students at Miami, going Greek means more than just wearing letters or participating in social events. Greek life reaches far beyond these scopes over the course of four years and impacts life after college.
Pamphlets and signs urging you to go through recruitment state that students who go Greek have higher GPAs and are more involved based on their school’s statistics, in which of course, studies show that this correlates to success in the professional and even personal spheres of the “real world.” A study of 30,000 graduates conducted by Gallup reported that after college, fraternity and sorority members “felt prepared at a 10 percent higher rate than their non-Greek peers.”
One could argue that every aspect of Greek life pushes you to grow as a person and challenge yourself in new ways you never imagined before. Everything from weekly chapter meetings to holding officer positions teaches you skills that can be applied in every aspect of life, and especially in that of real-world management roles. Going Greek certainly prepares you for postgraduate success.
The social aspect of Greek life often falls under heavy scrutiny. Greeks may be characterized as “partiers” who only care about going out and drinking. But one of the most important skills that comes from going Greek is communication skills— meeting and talking to all kinds of people, whether they are your friends, other people you are just meeting, an interviewer, a roommate or an older role model. Participating in anything from philanthropy events to chapter meetings creates social skills that an individual can carry with them throughout their lives. These skills can help in any area of life, from a relationship with a loved one to one in the professional workplace. Meeting and interacting with a diverse group of people within your chapter and outside of it is one of the most valuable parts of going Greek.
Stepping into a leadership role in Greek life is an individual decision. Being a leader and having a leader to look up to is a rewarding thing on both ends. Taking on this extra responsibility of a leadership role challenges someone to step outside their comfort zone and to learn and develop new skills he or she perhaps did not have before. Just as important, is having a leader to look up to and learn from. While being in either person’s pair of shoes, there is tremendous room for individual growth.
Peter Smithhisler, president and CEO of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, gave his opinion on Greek life in Gallup’s report.
“Gallup defines workplace engagement as being able to do what you are best at, liking what you do and having someone who cares about your development at work,” says Smithhisler. “Fraternities and sororities have always emphasized the value of mentoring and intergenerational relationships.”
Going Greek means committing to something larger than you. This commitment is something you choose perhaps because you identify with the values of the organization, are passionate about the philanthropy or view the entire Greek community as a way to get involved and reach out. This commitment is time consuming and requires devoted attention. Balancing school, a social life, staying healthy, being involved with other activities and participating in with philanthropy events and anything else having to do with Greek life is a tough act. Taking on the huge responsibility of being a part of the Greek community teaches you what it’s like to balance all of these things while still giving each your best. This time management skill is not something that is easily taught but something someone learns through experience.
Involving one’s self in a dynamic community is also the perfect opportunity to network. Connections and relationships built on this foundation can be reliable and last a lifetime. Reaching out to these people post-college can be extremely beneficial professionally and personally. Sharing this special experience full of late nights at the library, socials, philanthropy events and everything in between with others is one of the biggest things that ties the Greek community together.