subject: Extracurricular Activities: Describing Career Success Components [print this page] Extracurricular Activities: Describing Career Success Components
Lots of college students perceive extracurricular activities as voluntary options which can be pursued or not. In this sense, college students might enroll in a particular educational institution and graduate with no taking part in any of the extracurricular activity during the whole program. Despite being voluntary, extracurricular activities can be seen as essential factors for success, which extend beyond educational performance, including employment and career. In that regard, the present article will attempt to clarify the statement that extracurricular activities are very important for success.
Skills & Abilities
There are lots of skills and capabilities required by employers that can be learned and/or developed via participation in extracurricular activities. The list of the skills might include team working skills, communication capabilities, leadership skills, and creative thinking. The aforementioned abilities can be learned when participation in extracurricular activities, most of which are based around developing the skills. Taking theatre for example reveals that the activity gives the best setting to develop communication skills as well as team skills. Simultaneously, the activity might promote the development of such elements as self-confidence, which is part of leadership capabilities.
Networks & Companies
It cannot be denied that as well as personal skills and achievements there are other external factors playing a role in career success. Such factors might include good looks, articulation, as well as other aspects unrelated to knowledge. Among such factors are visible in having good and diverse professional connections in different areas. The engagement in extracurricular activities might be seen as a contributing aspect in increasing the network of each individual. Such matter is achieved via making some new friends from diverse backgrounds and interests. In addition, in a more direct way, the extracurricular activities can be substantial from employers' viewpoint, for which the very fact of participation, pointed out in a cv, is an advantage during the application procedure.
