How do people react when you mention you are involved as an alum - Page 3

Tom Earp · #31 02-08-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlethiaSi

I graduated this past May from my school, and I am now joining my sorority's housing board and I remain a "go-to" person for the active girls, offering advice, encouragement and counseling. When I left, 14 other girls left with me, so it has been a large majority of the younger girls running things, which is why I didn't want to fall out of the picture, in case they needed me.

My parents don't get it, my friends in my new town don't get it either. My dad tells me to grow up, especially because I still wear my charm necklace, he tells me to get over it. I tell him over and over again that this is something that matters to me, and he'll just have to respect that.

First off, congratulations on Graduation and still being involved with Your GLO!

Secondly, I can understand about parents! They thought I was nuts in starting a Local. I was the first in My family in going to College so everything was new to them.

But, when they would come down for H C and would meet my Brothers, they kind of became very close to them!

When they passed on, I had Brothers there as they respected them and cared about them for who they were!

Just keep up the good work and aide the Young Members! "YOU" doing good!

AXiDTrish · #32 02-08-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

My parents don't get it, my friends in my new town don't get it either. My dad tells me to grow up, especially because I still wear my charm necklace, he tells me to get over it. I tell him over and over again that this is something that matters to me, and he'll just have to respect that.

I think it sucks that you have to justify your involvement with your parents on something that means so much to you. My parents didn't quite get it either....but 10 years later they've gotten the hint and support it wholeheartedly. Hopefully your parents will do the same. Chin up!

KSUViolet06 · #33 02-12-2007, 01:38 PM

Anybody who knows me knows that Sigma was a big part of my college experience. They totally can see why I continue to support Sigma after graduation with both my money and time. Most of my college friends are Greeks themselves, so they "get it".

I come from a Greek family (mom and stepdad are NPHC org members), so of course my family is supportive. In fact, the dinnertable talk on Sundays is often about what everyone's grad or alumnae chapter is up to lately.

NinjaPoodle · #34 02-12-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

Back to the 1st post...when I go into a Greek store to buy stuff, the question is "Oh, is your daughter an Alpha Gam?..I just thought of the perfect line....

No, but my 100,000 sisters are.

Cute, I like that

I've been asked to "Hook a brotha' up" a couple of times

to which I responded " Ummmm, no."

Tom Earp · #35 02-12-2007, 05:39 PM

In and Out of different Threads, but I a wear a LXA Sweat Shirt to the Store as is so friggen cold!

The owner of one of my main wholesalers calls on me.

Oh, You are a LXA?

Yep, I am a Sig Ep from Mo. Un!

So, if some do not like me as a Greek, then, it is their PROBLEM!

Heck yes, I will be more than happy to tell them and what I did in and out of College to do good!

susan314 · #36 02-24-2007, 12:04 PM

I graduated a decade ago (has it really been that long?

), and I'm still involved with my sorority.

I think what some people (sisters included) have a hard time understanding is why I'm still involved when my own chapter closed a few years ago. My response is generally to explain that I didn't just join my chapter at MSU, I joined a national group of sisters.

I've been involved in various capacities off and on since graduation, and recently became Chapter Advisor for a chapter in my area.

Tom Earp · #37 02-28-2007, 03:59 PM

Thanks blueangle!

Showing love and admiration for your GLO!

KDAngel · #38 09-12-2007, 03:39 PM

It's funny my parents (a Tri-Delt and a PKA) both hated that I was Greek in college because they thought it pulled me away from my studies. Which it didn't, I was just slack for a while by my own choice. ANYWAY, they love that I'm involved now as an alum. It's so funny too, but it's like the realize there's no studying that needs to be done and that I already have my job, so they're all about it.

My other friends up here are either in their own AA's or just haven't heard me talk about my own, but pretty much all my friends happen to be Greek (by chance), so I don't think any of them would care.

kdxut · #39 10-31-2007, 04:50 PM

It's funny because it depends on who is racting, if it's other greeks they understand, but people who have never been involved with a Greek organization think it's a terrible group to be a part of because of what they've heard on television or the like. I try to explain, but some people are going to block you out no matter what terrific things you try to explain.

On the other hand, my family, friends and folks think it's terrific and my dad will recognize another Kappa Delta Chi sister's bumper sticker or letter on the back of a vehicle driving in TX and it's the funniest thing. He'll tell me all about his experience seeing another "penguin".

Benzgirl · #40 10-31-2007, 05:39 PM

I agree. It depends on who you are talking to.
One friend thought it was great (she is a GLO alum),
Another said all of the girls in her sorority are sluts so she wants nothing more to do with it any more,
my one cousin (same GLO) was very excited
another cousin (different GLO) couldn't understand it -- she was done with it when she graduated
aunt said, "whatever"
mother was ok with it
some friends laugh, but no one has ever critcized it (at least not to my face)

LatinaAlumna · #41 11-01-2007, 10:37 AM

I think that my participation after graduation (about 10 years out) has given new perspective to some of the non-greeks. They usually say things like, "Wow, I didn't know sorority members are so dedicated!" My family and friends are supportive of it, and I think most of this comes from them seeing how involved I was as an undergraduate. I've dated guys (non-greek) "don't get it" but will at least appreciate the work I do with the undergrad. members because they see the mentoring, service, etc. I have dropped guys who made fun of me because of my participation (and I've been doing that since undergrad!).

Tom Earp · #42 11-01-2007, 03:00 PM

Funny, a LXA Brother from Tenn. just called me to tell me about his trip to R I. He did not have to get a hotel room, he stayed with a Brother and saved money!

This is one of the many things that comes to mind.

Another one is a Brother of my chapter is a lawyer and did my will and will update it and all it cost me was $75.00 and he also does gratis work for the chapter.

I have a STG who gets his hair cut next door to my store and is going to help me get one of his pledge pins, and that is another story.

When a GLO graduates and puts on thier resume, that they were a member, many times they will be hired over others who were not. They are members of GLOs and know what type we as GLOs put out of college and the experience gained from the experience of running or being a part of a GLO.

When people ask me I flat tell them!

REE1993 · #43 11-01-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

When a GLO graduates and puts on thier resume, that they were a member, many times they will be hired over others who were not. They are members of GLOs and know what type we as GLOs put out of college and the experience gained from the experience of running or being a part of a GLO.

While employment industry experts agree that networking is the most effective method of job searching, (above online, newspapers and all advertising combined), simply being a member of a GLO does not leap-frog an applicant over non-Greeks to becoming hired.

Being chosen or being a member of a fraternity or sorority does not make one more skilled, intelligent, experienced or better than anyone else. Common hobbies, affiliations, and activities may make for some good conversation, but I think it's a little naive to think someone would hire (or think that they would be hired) just because of Greek affiliation.

There are many leadership opps and success stories out there for Greeks, but I think because the general population is not "greek friendly" or informed, I don't think that the supposition is at all accurate.

modorney · #44 11-01-2007, 07:49 PM

> When a GLO graduates and puts on thier resume, that they were a member, many times they will be hired over others who were not

The operative word is "many". In four decades of technology employment, pretty much every interview I had could be boiled down to two questions:
1. Can you do the job?
2. Can you work with the people and culture here?

My college era was a great time for Greeks, and, even though Greeklife has risen and fallen a few times in the intervening years, I was usually competing with those about my age. Many times, my fraternity experience was brought up, particularly with respect to managing a small group of people.

With many projects, where we were working 80+ hours a week, the office resembled a fraternity house - people needed to be fed, housed, and risk management came in to play. Naturally, we weren't drunk, but I had to drive many a worker home, who had worked 36 hours straight, and had fallen asleep in my car.

The particular house did not matter, but the experience was crucial, and companies hired because of it.

REE1993 · #45 11-02-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modorney

>

My college era was a great time for Greeks, and, even though Greeklife has risen and fallen a few times in the intervening years, I was usually competing with those about my age. Many times, my fraternity experience was brought up, particularly with respect to managing a small group of people.

The second sentence quoted here is very interesting (I left the first one for context).

In my work experience, I can't think of a single conversation about managing groups of people and Greek experience in college. I think that the topic of being Greek was brought up a few times during idle conversation over the years, but none of it was in relation to anything related to skills or experience, or anything work-related.

I imagine that in other parts of the country, being Greek might come up more frequently during general conversation, but as I stated earlier, being Greek doesn't guarantee you a job over someone else *simply* because of affiliation. It might get your resume to the top of the "look" pile, but that's about it.

Has anyone had "many" or some work experiences where you were given favor (as in actually being hired for a particular job) simply because you were Greek? How about due to your specific affiliation?

Caveat - we all know that membership has its privileges. I am not talking about personal favors or gratis services.