Essay On Greek Life

Greek Life: Where the Heart Finds a Home Away From Home
Greek life in most people’s eyes is considered to be joining a sisterhood or brotherhood such as a sorority or a fraternity. Greek life is an extremely large part in numerous universities. More than half of the students are actually members of a Greek organization. Some may say that Greek life is not for them, but they truly do not know all of the advantages that come from being a member of a Greek organization. Do they realize how several of our nation’s leaders were members of Greek life probably not, since most of them were? One should join Greek life, not only for abundant friendships gained, but because of advantages, for example leadership skills and along with the countless networking

opportunities that come with joining a Greek organization.
With joining a Greek organization, there are various leadership skills that one can gain. One can gain these skills through their own organization by holding some type of position that makes them strive to push past their own limits and see how to handle oneself with peers of their own Greek organization, as well as members of other Greek organizations that they interact with.

According to New Mexico State University, “In the fraternity/sorority, you will be in ‘charge’ of an event or a duty. Everyone in the fraternity/sorority is a leader, whether you’re an officer, on a committee, or just a participant. You will learn by doing. You’ll learn how to manage a budget, run effective meetings, speak in public, and motivate others … skills that will help you in the university and throughout your life. These days it acquires more than just a degree to acquire a good job- it takes leadership experience.(Benefits of Greek Life)” These positions that women and men of Greek life run for actually resemble those of actual positions in the everyday work force. Rochester Institute of Technology says that “Opportunities to learn and practice leadership stretch beyond chapters. There are many system-wide leadership roles open on the IFC, CPC, and MGC. Beyond the Greek community, fraternity men and sorority women involved in many other organizations on campus. Some of these include Student Government, athletic teams, and many student clubs.(Advantages of Greek Life)” This proves, not only do members have positions within their own organization, but numerous have chosen to take in holding other positions all over campus. Many of these

leadership skills are actually being taught through Greek life, “Of 18 NPC organizations reporting, all provided leadership education for members. While not surprising, the unanimity of the importance of leadership education and the numerous forums in which these organizations provide such training indicates leadership development is indeed an important objective for those who administer these organizations at the national level. The additional findings that there are specific attributes of women’s leadership development that these organizations emphasized the efficacy of training in these areas also provide interesting insight into leadership development in sororities” (Bureau). Greek life not only teaches leadership skills but it also gives you skills to network along with many networking opportunities.
Once Greek has entered the life of a young adult one must also contemplate of all of the networking opportunities that they will have now that they have sisters all over the world in all different jobs fields doing anything and everything imaginable. One must consider this as a plus because now there is always someone to ask if they know anyone who is in that career or has taken the same classes. Having sisters certainly come in handy while choose classes in college and trying to decide what teachers are the best. Not only does it help to always have sisters around, but it also helps afterward because there are sisters in every field of work. More than likely someone will know how to help when looking for a job after college. Rochester Institute of Technology also states, “One of the greatest benefits that comes with being a member of the Greek community are the relationships you make with alumni, which provide many opportunities for career networking and mentoring, not only with your initial job search but also throughout your career. … Alumni/graduate chapters located throughout the nation provide opportunities for continued involvement after graduation.(Benefits of Greek life)” Once an active member in the organization, meeting more current members along with alum from all over the country who work all over the world in all types of careers. The networks made have the opportunity to create not just from attending college greatly increase when becoming a member of a Greek organization which should be a colossal reason to go Greek.
There are countless additional advantages to join Greek, but one must also consider the disadvantages too. In people’s eyes Greek life is nothing else than partying. There are several statistics that show that members of Greek life are more likely to abuse alcohol and binge drink than non-Greeks. Before one joins any part of Greek life they also need to take into consideration the amount of time and money that will be dedicated to the organization. For most members they actually maintain a higher GPA than non-Greeks, but having to learn how to manage time very well or become overwhelmed with trying to maintain classes, Greek life, and a personal life on top of that. There are always disadvantages to anything someone may take part in just have to decide if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Overall, the advantages of going Greek are having leadership skills and the networking opportunities as well as friendship and a sense of home. Seem to overpower the disadvantages such as cost and time commitment. One must take time to sit down and compare the advantages and disadvantages along with the added pressure of Greek life, and decide if it is for oneself. Even if having the slightest feeling that Greek life may not work, one can always go through recruitment and decide to drop if it does not work. The advantages and disadvantages may seem to be very equal and the only way to decide then would be to jump in head first and decide from experiences if Greek life is the best fit.