By: John David Barnett
Student Involvement Student Writer
“Discover your path” is a phrase most Auburn students are familiar with. The classic saying comes straight from Auburn University’s Office of Student Involvement, with hopes of encouraging students to branch out and discover opportunities that enrich their Auburn experience with out-of-the-classroom involvement.
The Plains has no shortage of paths for students to travel down as they look to get involved on campus. With over 500 on-campus organizations, choosing which path to start on can be overwhelming to some – It is not uncommon for a student to be left wondering, “How and where do I even get started?” Fortunately, there are several easy and accessible ways for all students to discover their path.
Involvement Ambassadors
Student Involvement cares deeply about assisting students in starting their involvement journey. Implementation of this care and concern comes in the form of Involvement Ambassadors (IA) who have the direct responsibility to guide students towards opportunities that suit their interests.
The Involvement Ambassadors can be viewed as a type of matchmaking service, ready to match an organization, club, opportunity, or event to a student’s personality and interests.
An awesome resource working in tandem with the IA’s is the live chat feature on the Student Involvement website. Found at the bottom right corner of the page, this chat feature links students to an IA in the office – perfect for answering a range of questions regarding involvement opportunities.
IA’s can be found at the front desk of the Student Involvement Suite (MSC 3130) ready to answer a question, have a chat, or recommend an opportunity for those walking in.
More than that, IA’s can also meet with students who come into the Suite for one-on-one consultations. Appointments ahead of time are not required, so students are encouraged to visit whenever they like. Students should not hesitate to visit 3130, as the IA’s are there to serve everyone.
Check out AUinvolve
Another fantastic way to get plugged in is through AUinvolve, the one-stop portal for all things involvement. AUinvolve holds the answers to all event and opportunity questions, and it is at the fingertips of all Auburn students. Think of it as a digital Involvement Ambassador available 24/7.
The involvement portal has plenty of features and resources ready to help every student who visits.
Students can elect to search AUinvolve for something specific or they can look at a calendar of upcoming events, and find which ones catch their eye. The extensive and detailed calendar shows each event’s date, time, and location on campus, allowing students to become experts on any event in just a few clicks.
AUinvolve also features a news section, which showcases updates and messages from members of clubs and organizations. This section is a great place to check for opportunities that may have been easier to miss. A quick glance at the news section is always worth it because each week at Auburn has something new and unique to offer.
Go to an Event
Perhaps the most immersive way students could discover their path is by downloading their Mobile Event Pass and scanning into an event. Every Auburn student has access to this pass, which allows them to visit any event open to the entire student body and hosted by an Involvement organization.
The options are practically limitless since each week has a plethora of events open to all students. Attending open events gives students insight into how an organization functions and it introduces students to a brand-new community.
A major plus of this tactic is that it allows students a more informal setting to get to know an organization. Applications and interviews can be intimidating, but going to events before committing to an organization is a great way to break the ice and discover what a group is all about.
Final Tips
One final thing all students can do to stay in the know is follow @AUinvolve on social media. Reminders of opportunities, applications, events and more are constantly cycling through those spaces. Students should keep an eye on social media for the most up-to-date information, updates, and reminders.
Hopefully, this brief guide helps present some options to get students plugged into the Auburn campus and student community. These are just a few quick and easy ways to get started, but there are so many more routes interested students can take as they discover their path!