Top 6 Reasons to Recruit Students in Greek Life

By Julia Dunn on April 30, 2017

In the media, Greek life does not necessarily carry the best reputation. By association, students who involve themselves in Greek life are often viewed negatively. While some activities associated with Greek life may be controversial or debatable, students in these organizations possess important leadership skills that hold the organization together.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Personally, as a member of student organizations at the University of California, Santa Cruz that are entirely unrelated to Greek life, I acknowledge the admirable qualities that many students in Greek life possess (despite my dislike for many other aspects of Greek life for personal reasons).

As recruiters, do not assume students in Greek life don’t pick up some valuable skills from their involvement. Here are six reasons to recruit students in Greek life.

1. They know their way around social media

On college campuses, Greek organizations are always tabling to recruit new members towards the beginning of the year. They work incredibly hard to engage new students with their organization, and much of the information-sharing they do is on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter.

You likely know the importance of social media in an internet-based world, so if you recruit a student with experience in a Greek organization, there’s a high likelihood that they will thrive in positions related to social media, publicity, and outreach.

2. They’re detail-oriented

Student-run organizations like those under the Greek life umbrella are full of students who know how to keep track of the minute details in event planning and program development. Many students who hold leadership positions in these organizations are trusted to manage tons of tasks crucial to implementing a successful fundraiser, campaign, or mixer.

Recruiters can bet that a student who’s been heavily involved in event planning will pay just as much attention to the necessary duties in the positions you offer them as they have in their Greek organizations.

3. They’re problem-solvers

As is true in any student organization, problem-solving is a requisite skill. Events can always go awry when you don’t expect them to, and students in Greek organizations are likely used to improvising when something falls through. These students are valuable for any employer needing students who can think clearly in response to mishaps and unplanned interruptions in their plans.

4. They know how to network

Are you looking to expand your business or company through networking? A former Greek organization member can help you connect with others through their people skills. Greek organizations are reliant upon networking for many reasons (retention of members, acquiring new members, keeping in touch with old members and holding events at which members can get to know each other).

These students are resourceful and most of them adore socializing, which can work in your favor depending on the type of job opening you have for them. Of course, not all students in Greek life are necessarily extroverts — it takes a mixture of different students to create a dynamic organization.

5. They know how to make others feel welcome

For the most part, it seems that Greek organizations pride themselves on their efforts to make members feel included through a sense of community. They do this by creating events and programming that promote relationship-building. Students in Greek organizations are depicted in movies and television as outgoing, peppy individuals who are always looking to make a friend — in many cases, this is true.

Recruiters can harness the energy of these students in numerous roles, as these individuals are often able to connect with many different people.

6. They know their values

Typically, different Greek organizations are built upon principles and values important to their members, as well as different topics and interests. For instance, Delta Sigma Pi is focused on development in the business field. According to their website, Delta Sigma Pi “prepares business students for successful professional careers, but also instills values of service and principled leadership that characterize Deltasigs in all phases of life.”

In contrast, Alpha Psi Omega “has sponsored the formation of theater honor societies in high schools and junior colleges, with the aim of encouraging dramatic production at every step in a person’s academic career.”

One noteworthy organization is Theta Pi Sigma, which is the world’s first gender-neutral fraternity which prides itself in being focused on queer students. It was started by a University of California, Santa Cruz student in 2005. Other chapters of this organization now exist at Northeastern University of Illinois, University of Oregon, and University of Maryland. Greek organizations like Delta Sigma Pi represent noteworthy progress in making Greek life more inclusive.

Overall, it’s understandable to have reservations about the idea of Greek life, but not every student fits the stereotypes you think of in your head. Hire a student from a Greek organization, and you will find a wide array of transferable skills that will benefit your company, from people skills to organization and event planning.

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