As I witness my sister embarking on her college journey as a freshman at my alma mater, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement and nostalgia. Through her stories of new classes, friendships, and the discovering herself I am reminded of the beginning of my own undergraduate adventure. It’s been great to guide her through this transformative chapter of her life, offering the advice I wish I had received during my own freshman year. More selfishly, this has also given me a fresh perspective on my own reality as a 24-year-old, just embarking on my career.
Recently, my sister Jaclyn has ventured into the world of sorority recruitment. It reminds me of the anxiety, stress, and blows to self-esteem that can accompany the entire Greek life experience. However, I want Jaclyn to experience recruitment free from preconceived negative notions which has caused me to reflect on the positive aspects of my own recruitment experience, nearly six years ago.
Surprisingly, I stumbled upon an unexpected realization: my sorority experience is the very reason I have a job today. In many ways, sorority recruitment mirrors a job interview. It demands introspection about your interests and the qualities that make you a worthy candidate. You discuss your hobbies, passions, and inspirations. Naturally, nerves come into play. Throughout my four years in a sorority, I had the opportunity to meet countless individuals and engage in a wide range of conversations from right from the start. This valuable experience has prepared me for job interviews far more than any class or intro to business course.
Additionally, the exposure to a diverse group of individuals in the sorority helped me navigate the reality of encountering people who may differ greatly from me or those whom I simply didn’t click with. Let’s face it, even in a new company, job, or team, there will always be individuals with whom we may not vibe. However, thanks to my sorority experience, I have learned to view people, even those not particularly on my favorites list, in ways that extend beyond negativity and annoyance. Differences need not remain different forever; they can evolve into our own new realities in different situations.
Another reason why I may not regard my sorority experience through rose-colored glasses is the overshadowing presence of the pandemic. I often joke with my friends that I disliked the recruitment process so much the first time around that I ran for the position of Recruitment Chair, determined to make it as different as possible the next year. As a freshman, I won the position and being motivated and driven by end goals, I planned early meetings with advisors, distributed surveys, and created Pinterest mood boards, all aimed at making recruitment seamless and stress-free. However, when the pandemic forced recruitment to go virtual, all those plans went out the window, and I had to start over completely.
Interestingly, this sentiment resurfaced recently as I embarked on a career change after landing my first “big girl job” post-graduation. My current role has required me to learn new skills that had previously never crossed my mind, such as programming software. Now, don’t get me wrong, computers have been both my best friends and favorite babysitters since childhood, but programming software was never part of my skill set. Nonetheless, I found myself in a similar situation as a recruitment chair, spending hours on Zoom meetings with my sorority’s national council, learning how to download Excel sheets into CSV files and upload them to Zoom’s platform to create breakout rooms. While I may never use those exact skills again in my life, the familiar sentiment of embracing the challenge of learning something new and technical still resonates with me and is genuinely appreciated.
Furthermore, my experience as a recruitment chair equipped me with the ability to conceive and execute a vision. In the sorority, this involved selecting decorations, refining dress codes, and creating branding posts for social media to bring my vision to life. In my current job, understanding my boss’s long-term goals and values is key to generating content that aligns with those ambitions. Although the specific tasks differ, the overall concept of breaking down a vision into smaller steps remains the same. I truly know that I wouldn’t possess the skill set to fulfill the responsibilities of my current job if it weren’t for my prior experience in sorority leadership.
In the spirit of spreading positivity and inspiring my sister, the role of being the recruitment chair of my sorority has provided me with numerous professional advancements. It has taught me valuable lessons in patience and collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, it has challenged me to take on responsibilities outside of my comfort zone and to focus on the smallest details to bring a vision to life. However, as time has passed in my own life (thanks to my nearly fully formed frontal lobe), there are insights from my sorority days that I have shared with my sister, especially as she approaches the end of her sorority recruitment journey this weekend:
The first is to not overly concern oneself with others’ opinions. While sorority recruitment may at times feel like a popularity contest that revolves around superficial values, it is important to stay true to yourself. Wearing a mask and hiding any perceived flaws or negatives about oneself will only hinder the enjoyment of the experience and the connection with the chosen group. Prioritizing personal fulfillment and joy, rather than conforming to societal notions of what is “cool,” is key.
Above all, it is essential to embrace the chaos and find joy in it. As I learned firsthand when my recruitment plans were unexpectedly changed, no matter how meticulously we plan, external factors can always disrupt our expectations. Being adaptable and prepared for the unexpected is crucial. Personally, I find confidence in my abilities, kindness, work ethic, and determination to be invaluable assets in navigating uncertainty. With these qualities, there is no limit to what one can achieve.
So, as my sister embarks on this transformative journey, I encourage her to embrace her true self, let go of others’ judgments, and find strength in the midst of chaos. The sorority experience can be a remarkable opportunity for growth, connection, and self-discovery.
