Club Culture and Recruiting Season

via Marshall

by Lauren Liang ‘23

A new semester means new ways to get involved with one (or many) of USC’s numerous student organizations. A walk down Trousdale during the semesterly Involvement Fair highlights how there is no shortage of opportunities. While there are many social clubs––clubs that don’t require an application to be accepted––there are an equal number of pre-professional and application based clubs. 

Many application-based clubs are project focused and work with clients, which requires a high level of commitment from their members. In order to screen for skill and commitment, clubs like Innovative Design, LavaLab, Haute, and any of Marshall’s consulting organizations, are extremely competitive and can require over three rounds of written applications, socials, and interviews to be accepted. Students half-jokingly insist that some clubs have acceptance rates lower than USC itself. 

For many, especially those new to campus and at an earlier stage in their professional careers, clubs symbolize a way to make new friends while padding their resume. Being turned away from clubs can be upsetting, but it is important to acknowledge that clubs are not the end-all-be-all, both socially and professionally. Coming from someone who has gone through 3 semesters of club recruiting and has been accepted to and rejected from various organizations, your success is not determined by the clubs you are or aren’t in. 

Of all the close friendships I’ve made during my time here, none of them have been through a club (although some friends and I have been in clubs together). Admittedly, being in project-based clubs has given me talking points for interviews, but those talking points could also come from group projects in class. For example, during a behavioral interview, a recruiter might ask you how you reacted to differing opinions within a team, or how you demonstrated leadership. Neither of these things require being in a club, although being in an organization might give you more experience to talk about. If you’re aiming to be in clubs to build your portfolio (if you’re a designer, for example), nothing is stopping you from taking on your own creative endeavors. Additionally, as you gain more professional experience you’ll be less reliant on club involvement to demonstrate your ability to function in the “real world.” 

From another perspective, being in too many pre-professional clubs can be exhausting, especially on top of other responsibilities. The last thing you want to experience is career burnout, especially before you really start your career. Not being a part of a high-commitment club means more time to relax, spend time with friends, and focus on your classes. 

Do clubs offer opportunities for professional development with peers that have similar interests? Of course. I highly encourage applying to them! Just keep in mind that many of the benefits that clubs offer can be found in other places and try to enjoy the process of applying regardless of the outcome. 

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