Why To Get Involved On Campus

Go to the Involvement Fair, even if the events seem silly or you may be feeling shy, please get involved and do it sooner rather than later. Getting involved is key to your success here on campus, within the School of Management or otherwise.

Hannah Cole-Leathers B.S. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’17

Hannah Cole-Leathers BSBA ’17 is an accounting major, president of Beta Alpha Psi, and secretary of the Women in Business Club. She joined Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization that is catered to accounting and finance students, just last year. Members also plan “Meet the Firms” — an annual on-campus event in which “numerous students are able to secure internships and full-time positions from regional firms, banks, financial institutions, and the Big 4 accounting firms.” The Meet the Firms event was challenging, she said, but it allowed her to expand her knowledge. In the end, she said, “Watching everyone networking at the event, making the connections that will launch their careers was incredibly rewarding. I spoke with so many younger students and was able to reassure them and encourage them as they gathered the courage to go make those necessary connections. One night can impact so many students' lives for the better in terms of career prospects.”

She advises students to go to the Involvement Fair, “even if the events seem silly or you may be feeling shy, please get involved and do it sooner rather than later.” Cole-Leathers said that getting involved “is key to your success here on campus, within the School of Management or otherwise.” She expressed that although USF’s campus has an intimate feel, there are a wealth of available opportunities. For her, she said, “I believe that I've had enough exposure to professionals, enough chances to network and develop professionally that I have a great understanding of how to pursue the next chapter of my life after college, as a woman in business.”

I think getting involved early is fun, you learn a lot, and you definitely go deeper into the USF experience.

Nikolaus Jacobs B.S. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’18

Nikolaus Jacobs BSBA ’18 is an international student from Germany and is president of the International Business Club. “We give [members] a unique opportunity: three or four exclusive events during the semester,” he said. Some memorable visits were to the Tesla factory, a tour of a Peet’s Coffee roastery, and the telecommunications company, Ericsson, in Santa Clara. At Tesla, students found themselves on the test track, testing different engines. While they weren’t allowed to drive the cars themselves, he emphasized the excitement in it all as they got to sit next to the speedy drivers: “they go from 1 to 60 in 2.9 seconds!” Jacobs explained.

And while every trip doesn’t end up with the adrenaline of a race track, “each company visit is exciting in its own way.” Although being the president of the club is a lot of work, he assured, “it’s fun because you interact with professors, you interact with students, you go to companies.” Jacobs said. I think getting involved early is fun, you learn a lot, and you definitely go deeper into the USF experience."

I feel like a lot of students don’t know what’s out there. Getting involved provides exposure to opportunities professionally and personally.

Maria Kristina Perez B.S. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’17

Maria Kristina Perez BSBA ’17 is the president of the Women in Business club and working towards becoming a full member of Beta Alpha Psi — the accounting and finance honors organization. She joined the Women in Business club in her sophomore year after a friend on the executive board inspired her to join. “I was really interested in being part of that club because it’s all about women empowerment and women leadership,” said Perez. “I wanted to establish Women in Business to be known as the space where not just women, but men are welcome as well to come in and come to our meetings and talk about women issues and the gender gap and just having a comfortable area or place to network for like-minded women who want to succeed in similar business areas.” For her, the best experience in being a part of the Women in Business Club is “seeing all the women get together, network with each other and not battle each other out,” Perez said, “we’re all like one family.”

As for Beta Alpha Psi, she participated on and off since her freshmen year, but has been “completely involved this semester.” Perez said her most memorable experience in Beta Alpha Psi has been listening to the stories of the club’s weekly guest speakers — which made her realize: “no one has one strict path,” which is something she finds comforting. “I feel like a lot of students don’t know what’s out there,” she said, explaining that getting involved provides exposure to opportunities professionally and personally. “Most of my friends that I’ve met are involved as well, so the people you surround yourself with — you’re just going to be as successful as them,” said Perez.

Get involved with every opportunity they have — you never know where you will find your niche at USF and where each experience will take you. Be excited to learn more about yourself and others’ perspectives!

Alyse Andre B.S. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’19

Alyse Andre BSBA ’19 is the Vice President of the Women in Business club. “I initially joined my freshman year because their mission statement was geared towards building a network of like-minded women and strategizing around issues facing women in the business world,” she explained. As vice president, she strives to “make meetings interesting for everyone and to find topics that haven't been discussed before. I really try to make sure that our meetings and speakers are rewarding experiences and a good use of our members' time!”

“It is important to get involved in on-campus organizations because they help connect you to other students, faculty, alumni, other organizations, and outside networks that you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to work with,” said Andre. She advises freshmen to "get involved with every opportunity they have — you never know where you will find your niche at USF and where each experience will take you. Be excited to learn more about yourself and others’ perspectives!"

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