Student Programs

Getting Involved in Student Organizations Offers Many Paybacks, continued

Student Mike Stefanski drops his egg "Mars Lander" from the eighth-story window of the office tower in the annual "Engineering Days" competition.

Each year, many students volunteer their time outside the classroom by working with societies and other student organizations. Student volunteers are involved with:

• Societies that are discipline-specific, such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers or the Illuminating Engineering Society;
• Social or honor societies, such as Tau Beta Pi,
• Student government organizations, like the University of Colorado Engineering Council (UCEC) and the Engineering Excellence Fund;
• Public relations groups such as the Engineering Ambassadors; or
• Colorado Engineer Magazine, one of the oldest student publications in the state.

UCEC and other student organizations and societies sponsor Engineering Days, or "E-Days," a celebration of the engineering profession for the whole college community. Societies and organizations plan and coordinate activities for this weeklong event, generally held the third week in April. Highlights include the egg drop, in which students try to protect raw eggs in various contraptions though an eight-story fall; the professor pie toss, which gives students a chance to "get back" at their professors; and the carnival in the Engineering Quad. E-Days provide a welcome break from studying before students go into the final exam period.

Participation in student organizations and societies is one way that new students can ease their transition into CU. First-year and transfer students have an opportunity to meet people and make new friends. They also can establish a network of friends that includes upperclassmen, which is often helpful to academic survival in engineering.

Student volunteers gain experience in organizing events and conferences, managing budgets, developing fund-raising strategies, planning and conducting lab demonstrations for K-12 groups, and giving tours. These students often meet with industry representatives, serve on department or college advisory councils, and act as mentors to middle or high school students as well.

"I made invaluable contacts, found insight into what I want to do with my life, and in small amounts made the world a better place," said recent graduate Colin Graham, who was active in student government and the engineering honor society.

Editor-in-chief Dan Nikolich (in Colorado shirt) passes out the pizza at a working session of Colorado Engineer Magazine.

Through involvement with student organizations and societies students often find they learn things that go beyond the engineering curriculum, including oral and written communication skills, organization, fiscal and time management, public relations and marketing, and how to think on their feet.

"Getting involved in student organizations helped me to become a more well-rounded person by adding a non-technical component to my engineering education," said aerospace engineering graduate Corissa Young.

Mark Allen, a graduate in mechanical engineering, said being involved in extra-curricular activities forced him to interact with different types of people and helped him improve his communication skills.

And civil engineering graduate Heather Doty said she became an expert in time management — so she could study, do research, volunteer, and still have time for fun and relaxation.

http://www.Colorado.EDU/engineering/ss_studorg.html