Do your letters work for you?
 

To My SoRHOrs and Friends of Sigma:

Do your letters work for you? The reason I ask is because I have heard many people say that they put their affiliation on a resume' and it helped them get a job. For me, the answer is no. Here's why:

I am in graduate school working towards a PhD degree in the life sciences. So, needless to say, I've been around scientists for a good while, even during my undergrad days when I pledged. As an undergrad, my biochem major peers were not to offended by my letters, mostly because alot of us were greek so we all 'understood' each other. They went to med school and I am in graduate school.

As I have progressed up the research ladder, I have found more and more people not accustomed to the nuances of greek life. Alot of people in research science are foreigners and they view greek life as a quirky American thing like cheerleading and bungie-jumping for a free t-shirt. So when I do wear a Sigma shirt or sweater to the lab they give me a puzzled look and say, 'Sigma Gamma, hey, what does the P stand for ?'(read pee, no pun intended). Then I have to explain that it is a sorority and what greek life is all about. They still walk away puzzled.

Or, I encounter the opposite. For the few Americans that are in research science and are familiar with greek life, they have a very negative view of greeks. My scenario usually goes like this: Come to lab mostly in regular clothes, jeans and t-shirt/shorts and t-shirt. Note: lab attire is usually very casual to 'soap, what is soap?'. When I do show up to lab in pari, they ask 'YOU are in a sorority? WHY???' Why is this shocking? Mostly because scientists are not well known for having a life outside the lab, and being greek implies that: 1. you have a great personality, 2. people like you outside of the lab and 3. that you have a life outside the lab. All these are frowned on in science, especially by faculty.

There is a member of Chi Omega who works in a lab down the hall from me and she has come to the same conclusion to not tell many people she is greek. She has encountered the same attitude on her journey up the science ladder.

But, despite the puzzled looks and verbal scolding I still wear my pari to lab proudly!!;)

First of all Congratulations and good luck in grad school soRHOr! Some people don't understand the concept of being greek. They think all we do is party and skip class. So I wouldn't let them phase me. I would continue to wear my nalia to class and continue doing my "Greater Service, Greater Progress.";)

Sorhor Sigmadiva,

Congrats and that's really sad about your situation. However, I think that you are doing the best thing by sporting your letters proudly and explaining to those that see greek life in a negative light about the very positive aspects of being in a greek letter organization. We all know that the negative stereotypes come from the different components of the media. We just have to continue to present our organization in a positive light and continue to do a quality job with every other aspect of our lives.
Sorhor once again, continue to knock out the research and enjoy every aspect of your program and please keep us posted.

Serioussigma22

I will!!! I met with my committee members in November and they like my thesis outline that I presented.

Sigmadiva,

Before you know it you will have your masters. I know that your design idea, research and final thesis will be approved and all will go well.

Serioussigma22:cool:

Um...
 

Well, on the subject of wearing pari to lab, do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Usually whenever I submit a professional resume, it excludes all affiliations that may refer to sex or race. The only exceptions I would make would be if I held a significant national position in one of those organizations or if I belonged to an association that referred to my race/sex and profession i.e. NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists).

If I held a high office, I would consider adding it to a graduate school application. Otherwise, it is a privilege and an honor and I love me some SGRho, but there is no need for me to give a shout out on my resume.

-Soror Simon

resume
 

I guess every industry is different. While I may not always put SGRho on my resume, If I know the person I'm sending it to has a Greek affiliation, I'll put it on. If I don't put it on, there is always at least one activity on my resume that identifies me as a minority. I have found that this way I don't waste my time dealing with companies where this would be an issue. Also, sometimes self identifying can give you a leg up when a company is actively seeking to "diversify the workplace".

Bottom line, I suggest having several versions of your resume, so you can send the one most appropriate to your target audience.

:)

That's just one poodle's opinion.

Re: resume
 

Well, this poodle likes your opinion. :)

Re: resume
 

I agree! I have three resumes:

• Photography
• Reception
• Summer Camp Administration