Make connections and get involved at the Be Involved Fair

Looking to join an organization or club? Want to find new ways to get involved on campus or in the community?

Even though this fall will feel different, there are still ways to make the most of this semester. Participating in the virtual Be Involved Fair Aug. 25–27 is the best way to familiarize yourself with student organizations, volunteer opportunities and nonprofit programs on and off campus. ­This can be your first stop for learning about all sorts of involvement opportunities.

What to expect

The Be Involved Fair is a great place to start looking for your community at CU. Use these three days to explore what opportunities might be  right for you. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the fair. 

Follow the correct Zoom link

Since the fair will take place over the course of three days, make sure to have the correct link for the day you wish to attend. Here are the schedule and themes at a glance:

• Aug. 25, 2–4 p.m., Academic Interest
• Aug. 26, 2–4 p.m., Health and Wellness
• Aug. 27, 2–4 p.m., Social and Environmental Justice

Getting started

Visit the Be Involved Fair Headquarters (HQ Room) on Zoom to find a list of groups attending and event staff to answer your questions. From there, you can visit individual organizations in their Zoom rooms based on your interests. You can visit as many organizations as you would like to during the fair and can always return to the main HQ Room for assistance.

Use the chat feature on Zoom

Don’t be shy to use the chat feature on Zoom. You can ask questions directly of the org members, such as, “What are your meeting times?” and “How do you keep in touch?” 

Student Leaders Panel (HQ Room)

Hear from upper-level students and Journey Leaders about their on-campus involvement and what their experiences have meant to them. These panels will take place each day of the fair from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Here is a complete schedule with all Zoom links for all days of the fair. 

Why you should go

Whether you’re starting your first year or final year at CU Boulder, there’s something for everyone at the virtual Be Involved Fair. Here are some reasons to go if you’re a…

Freshman

Find your place at CU and make connections by getting involved. Do you want to excel in your academics, or perhaps you’re interested in the field of environmental justice? The fair will introduce you to many different options and opportunities. Getting involved can help make campus feel “smaller” by helping you find your niche.

Sophomore

After a year on campus, you have a better understanding of what extra time you might have available. Use your free time to get involved by finding something that is a perfect fit!

Junior

The activities you do on campus can help build out your résumé. Find something to specialize in or something at which you excel. There are many opportunities to gain leadership skills and get ready for internships.

Senior

It’s your final year! Find ways you can boost your résumé by getting involved. Consider potential experience in your chosen post-school employment field.

Get ready for the fair

Do a bit of research to know in advance which organizations will be present each day of the fair. Pick a few that sound interesting to you and attend their sessions.

Once you’ve found a few you’re interested in, look for them on BuffConnect and get a general sense of what they’re all about. The more you know about what they do, the greater opportunity you’ll have to ask the right questions during their sessions. 

Be sure to bring your schedule for the semester to make sure their meeting times don’t intersect with other commitments.

You can also write a short list of things you want from a club or volunteer opportunity. For example: work experience, meet new friends, be more active, etc. Check out several options and weigh them against your list.

Questions to ask

At the fair, use the chat to ask questions and get an idea if an opportunity is a good fit for you. Here are some examples:

• What does your organization do?
• What does it look like being a part of your organization?
• How can I sign up to get involved?
• What kind of time commitment is there to be involved with your organization?
• When do you meet?
• How will you meet?
• Where are you located?
• What do volunteers do at your organization? 

Whether you’re looking to find a community or want to build up your résumé, the virtual Be Involved Fair can be the best place to start.

Want to know more ways to get involved? Connect with the Center for Student Involvement and the Volunteer Resource Center; check out upcoming upcoming fall events; and follow @CUBoulderLife on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.