There’s always something to do at Cal U, and more than 400 students got a firsthand look at many available opportunities at the 2019 spring semester’s Club and Organizational Fair.
Diana Rodriguez, a business major, and Carlos Miguel, a mechatronics major, talk to students visiting their International Club booth.
More than 100 clubs and organizations were inside and around the Performance Center on Feb. 12, offering academic, faith and religion, volunteer, sports, arts and event planning options.
Computer science major Scott Trunzo, in his first semester, seemed to find a perfect fit when he explored the Computer Club table.
“I liked what I saw,” said Trunzo. “They said they do a lot of 3-D printing, which is a lot of both physical aspect of printing and a software aspect because you have to make a 3-D document.
“I’ve enjoyed it here so far, and this is something I will look into.”
Mecia Howard, a graduating senior who is studying environmental science and is the secretary of the Sustainability Club, learned about a speaker that the Finance Club is bringing to campus.
“Not only is this good to get information, but for me, it’s good to see what my school is doing. It’s nice to see that there’s plenty of things for students to get involved in,” she said. “It’s great to see new clubs are coming up and the underclassmen getting so involved.”
Diane Hasbrouck, director of the Center for Volunteer Programs and Service Learning and co-coordinator of the fair, said the event helps clubs and organizations attract new members.
“While first-year seminar students and underclassmen will come to explore clubs, the fair also gives the groups opportunities to talk and potentially partner with each other on certain activities or projects or future programs,” she said.
Hasbrouck also pointed out that club participation benefits a student’s Activities Transcript — an official University document that records student leadership roles, community service and other clubs and activities that can be shared with potential employers.
Many students who come to the fair become involved and flourish in clubs such as Macy Gross, a sophomore middle level education major who is treasurer of the Mathematics Association of America.
“We try to raise awareness of math and bring in speakers and play math games to advance our skills at our biweekly meetings, which always include pizza,” she said. “It’s fun. I joined my first semester and have been there ever since.”
Alex Koenigsberg, a first-year physics major, started going to STAND (Students Taking a New Direction) last fall and is now club secretary.
“Those meetings moved me, so I joined the leadership team this semester and am glad we’ve had some students stop by today,” he said. “This is a good club to learn the relationship you can have with others and connecting with God.”
Sophomore Xavier Baney, a special education K-4 major, is an officer with the Council for Exceptional Children. The CEC frequently visits schools, where they read to children and even have dances.
“It’s a great club to enhance your communication skills, and we’ve met a lot of interested students today, which is awesome,” he said.