As my four collegiate years (rapidly) come to an end, I find myself reminiscing upon my college journey. The person I was when I arrived in Orlando in August 2017 was like the little pill you put in water before it grows into a sponge dinosaur. Now, in April 2021, I can proudly say that the sponge dinosaur that has grown the past four years is confident, open-minded and wiser. The catalyst for my growth and success in college was joining my professional business fraternity.
My Delta Sigma Pi nickname is “Blossom.” Just as a flower blooms from a small seed to a beautiful flower, I have grown immensely throughout my three years as a brother. Attending my first recruitment event as a freshman, I was overwhelmed, nervous and completely out of my comfort zone. If this helps to paint a picture — I was wearing a professional dress I bought that day and a sweater because I didn’t own a blazer. Now, as a graduating senior, I can proudly say I own over four full suits! To summarize the entirety of the impact that Delta Sigma Pi has had on me would be nearly impossible, but I would like to highlight some memories that stand out to me whenever I recall my time in this fraternity.
To me, DSP is more than a group of friends who all have similar mindsets. DSP is a community of people around the world who are connected by a singular bond. For spring break last year, a handful of brothers and I went to London. It was deep into the night at a random London bar when two young girls came up to us. After exchanging the typical compliments girls do at a bar, we randomly discovered that we had more in common than we thought — we were all brothers of Delta Sigma Pi! We exchanged social media and still keep in touch. Randomly running into brothers in a foreign country is the epitome of being connected around the world and makes me feel supported not only by my own chapter but in any situation I find myself in in the future.
Professionally, I can confidently say that I would not have received my full-time offer with SAS if it wasn’t for DSP. Alumni from our chapter are the reason we have such a great relationship with the company. Aside from the direct connection DSP has to SAS, the professional skills I learned through pledging and as a brother catapulted my resume and soft skills to the forefront of applicants. Before DSP, I would shake at the mere thought of speaking to a recruiter or professional. However, with the selfless help of other brothers through their executive positions or just their own time, I blossomed into a confident, successful young professional.
The impact I have had on the fraternity is representative of the impact it has had on me. Through three different executive positions, I spent my time in Theta Sigma as an asset and friend to all brothers. Giving back to our chapter is the least I can do in return for all of the opportunities and friendships it has provided me. As I prepare to graduate college, my time as a collegiate brother must come to an end. And while I leave behind Monday night chapters, special meetings and banquets, I will always carry with me the friendships and memories I have made as I blossomed throughout my time as a collegiate brother.