working

[Lsu182]

Hi everyone! So I want to rush next year and if I were to join a sorority I would have to be responsible for paying my dues, not my parents. I know I can do it b/c I'll be working all summer and next semester but I was wondering if I wouldnt get the full experience if I would have to work all the time just to pay for it. I guess my question is is it worth it for me to join if I'd have to be working a lot?

[AlphaFrog]

Working and being in a sorority is a great learning experience for time management and prioritizing that you'll need later in life. You won't get to go to every mixer and social event, but if you can be flexible, you'll still get a great experience.

[flirt5721]

If you have great time management skills it will work for you. I work two jobs and was a member of other organizations (with officers positions) and still managed to get the full experience of a sorority.

It would really depend on how you handle things. As for me the more busy I am the better.

[KSUViolet06]

It is possible to work and be in a sorority. Most of the girls in my sorority had jobs. Many of their jobs were on or near campus, and their employers were flexible because they knew that the girls were students and had other obligations besides work.

It does require a great deal of time management. There are some sorority activites that will be mandatory. My particular chapter gave out calendars at the beginning of every semester so girls could schedule days off for really important things like recruitment and initiation in advance. You might not always get to attend EVERY SINGLE sorority event, but you can have a good experience and have a job.

[susan314]

A very large percentage of my chapter sisters worked, and I know many women from other chapters at my school worked.

I'm currently an advisor at a different school, and I'd say that almost all of the women in the chapter work. The ones who don't are in certain majors where the major itself makes it more difficult to work (ex - the education majors who have student teaching to worry about, the nursing majors who have clinicals, etc.)

[xoheatherxo]

if you have good time management skills id say go for it! just make sure you have time to study in addition to working and pledging!! its a great experience to be involved in greek life!!! i definetely couldnt have handled working and taking classes and all the stuff with the sorority but thats just me. i know plenty of my sisters worked throughout college and didnt really miss out on any of our functions or anything else that college had to offer. good luck and im sure well see a recruitment thread on here in the fall if you decide to rush!!

[Ocalagirl]

what about in the South? Do girls still work to pay their dues? I know it is such a different culture down here. The three girls I really know don't pay their own dues, but I don't know about other members of their chapters. Just curious....

[twinkle555]

Originally Posted by Ocalagirl

what about in the South? Do girls still work to pay their dues? I know it is such a different culture down here. The three girls I really know don't pay their own dues, but I don't know about other members of their chapters. Just curious....

I work about 4 days a week, attend classes (and summer classes) and hold a position in AOII.I pretty much go to everything too. I pay my own dues, tuition, and rent. I dont think its hard at all.. you just have to remember to get the days off you need off in time.

Probably about half my chapter works to support themselves in some way..others pay with financial aid.

So its possible! i say go for it!

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by twinkle555

I dont think its hard at all.. you just have to remember to get the days off you need off in time.

That's the key, plan your personal calendar in advance so you know what days to request at work. Your sorority should give you a chapter calendar well in advance with all required meetings and activities. Chapter meetings will almost always be the same night and time, recruitment events will be at the same general time each year even if the dates vary a bit, and so on. Also, most sororities have some type of guideline requiring a minimum amount of notice (2-4 weeks, probably) and specific procedure before changing the chapter calendar to add a manditory event. If such a change occurs, there should be a formal process to follow if such a change is made and you cannot attend on the new date.

If you don't keep some sort of personal calendar now (Blackberry or PDA, personal organizer, or even a physical calendar) get into the habit now. It will make your life so much easier in college to have everything listed!

[FSUZeta]

there were a few girls in my chapter who worked, back in the day. many of the girls in the chapter i advise have jobs, whether on campus, or off.

[sherbertlemons]

I know a girl who worked full time, went to school, and was our vice president of standards. She attended nearly everything, too.

It's possible.