How has being Greek helped your career?

[PDTStaffer]

My fraternity is my career. Being a Leadership Consultant has been an incredible experience. I've got another year left, so I'll have a better answer after that.

As to your other question in terms of resumes - Include anything that involves numbers/statistics as in "Recruitment chair for XYZ - Recruited 15 new members and raised membership 50%"

[denise2011]

Originally Posted by thetalady

I am curious... what kind of Greek organization are you in that you don't "looked it as "greek" and often forget to mention it"?

Less than 2 weeks ago, you were "flirting" with a sorority... certainly not a member.

Back when I was a freshman I was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa which is an honor society for community college students. I never looked at it as Greek nor took it seriously. I was involved in it as much as I could while working a part time job. I'm a lifetime member; got a member number and a pin but I hardly use it. I only mention it as much as I do an extra-curricular activity for applying for scholarships and writing essays about myself.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I would never list my greek affiliation on a resume, but I did occasionally mention when I was interviewing for my first job.

[DubaiSis]

I can't tell you how many times I've been doing something in my professional life and thought my 4 years in collegiate sorority life directly helped me with that task (working a cocktail party is the biggest one). But I don't think it directly helped me GET a job. And within a couple years of graduating all that would have gone off my resume anyway.

A sorority sister is a recruiter for a big company and she mentioned that she has hired a couple sisters, but I think it was just a point of conversation, not an actual decision maker.

[nittanygirl]

I have it on my resume and have definitely been asked about it in interviews for internships.
The other thing I list on my resume is benefit event I was in charge of for a service group I was once in (without directly listing the group since I am no longer active in it) but it's something I'm really proud of. I also increased our donated total by 60%.
Employers are impressed by something concrete you did and many companies love to see philanthropic efforts. I'm convinced that is what got me this internship.

Greek life is all about philanthropy.
I'd say, if you did something worth talking about during your collegiate years (and have recently - last 7 yrs) graduated, then put it on there. How else are you going to almost guarantee that it will be brought up?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by nittanygirl

I'd say, if you did something worth talking about during your collegiate years (and have recently - last 7 yrs) graduated, then put it on there. How else are you going to almost guarantee that it will be brought up?

Last 7 years? Once you are hiring for a job that isn't entry-level, you should not be putting college activities on your resume.

[nittanygirl]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Last 7 years? Once you are hiring for a job that isn't entry-level, you should not be putting college activities on your resume.

That was a typo actually. I meant 3. Dunno how I ended up with 7. Bc they're not even close. Typing fail on iPhone.
Also, I think it depends on the situation. (for 3, not 7...lol)

[AOII Angel]

For my career, Greek affiliation definitely helped initially. There is a section on the medical school admission application for extracurricular activities. I was able to fill the section with double filling each space with information about the activities and honors I'd received that were directly a result of my membership in AOII. When I actually went for interviews, I remember seeing my application on my interviewers desk and there was a big exclamation mark next to that section. He specifically asked me how I was able to keep up my GPA while being so active on campus. Medical schools are looking for well rounded students, not just bookworms, so this was a direct benefit.


Now, I'm 18 years out of membership. I do list my affiliation with AOII on my CV. I mention that I am a member of an alumnae chapter, perform community service, mentor collegiate students and work with our international foundation. If is is something you are still doing, it is definitely appropriate to place on your resume/CV after your first job.

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by denise2011

Back when I was a freshman I was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa which is an honor society for community college students. I never looked at it as Greek nor took it seriously. I was involved in it as much as I could while working a part time job. I'm a lifetime member; got a member number and a pin but I hardly use it. I only mention it as much as I do an extra-curricular activity for applying for scholarships and writing essays about myself.

A community college honor society is nothing at all the same as the social Greek affiliation that everybody else is referring to... or that it sounded like you were inquiring about. They are two completely different things. This was really a misleading question.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by thetalady

A community college honor society is nothing at all the same as the social Greek affiliation that everybody else is referring to... or that it sounded like you were inquiring about. They are two completely different things. This was really a misleading question.

AFAICT the OP is just looking for more fodder for her NPHC application.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by thetalady

A community college honor society is nothing at all the same as the social Greek affiliation that everybody else is referring to... or that it sounded like you were inquiring about. They are two completely different things. This was really a misleading question.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

AFAICT the OP is just looking for more fodder for her NPHC application.

Fail.

[denise2011]

The last few comments were unnecessary. You asked, I answered. When I asked my question I was referring to the type of greek affiliations you all are a part of. It was never misleading. I would never include PTK on a resume unless I was seeking a government based job which in case would put me in the running for a higher pay grade.

Yes I am an aspirant but this post has nothing to do in my journey there. I wanted replies from people about their experiences.

Again thanks to those who have replied.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by denise2011

Yes I am an aspirant....

Then learn this for the Internet and real life:

Sometimes it is best to be a silent observer. This is GreekChat, not AspirantChat.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by denise2011

The last few comments were unnecessary.

You are unnecessary here. What's your point?