Is joining a finance club that important in college?
I go to a HYP, and got rejected from one of the main investment clubs on campus. I guess it's hard to get into, and I didn't have a lot of prior experience or knowledge as a freshman. I think joining a student-run fund would help me learn a lot, but is this really something I need to have on my resume? Or is the value in joining one of these clubs mainly just for personal learning and the ability to show "interest' in finance during an interview? I definitely have an interest in investing and the process of evaluating a company, but I've mostly just focused on doing well in my classes and making friends my first semester. So should I start dedicating time each day to learning about the markets?
These, as you said, are largely solely to show that you have a tangible interest in finance. Wouldn't worry about it if you can build a solid story as to "why IB" or "why S&T" whenever you are applying for internships. There are plenty of ways to show that you follow the markets or have an interest in the field than joining one of those clubs. With that said, clubs aren't valueless - they sometimes can lead to good professional connections and you'll meet kids on campus with similar interests as you.
** I should say that this holds true at target schools more so than semi and non-targets. Just wanted to make that clear...
Undergrad Finance Club: Does It Matter? (Originally Posted: 08/19/2013)
I'm going into my senior year at a non-target in Chicago. I'm an officer in the undergrad finance club. I haven't seen any benefit to being an officer yet and it costs me time. The only benefit so far to being in the club at all has been going to the events and presentations, but I can go to those without even being a member.
The only people who knew anything about finance graduated last year and everyone who's left isn't really going anywhere and is pretty lame as well. As in, I don't want to spend time with most of them. The whole thing just has a really needy, clueless, directionless aura about it. And the pizza isn't even any good.
The time investment isn't huge, but I could be doing other stuff. Will anybody give a shit that I was an officer in the club in a year? Furthermore, I could just lie about it on my resume and nobody would know.
If I want to quit, the time would be now. What say you?
I was in one, best bet would be to stay in touch with the people you meet that seem to know their stuff. Law of Association and all that. It helps too have smart friends. As far as continuing it and the time your investing; that's up to you.
bump
Either make it better yourself by contacting alumni or other professionals and asking them to come speak (could be a good way to network as well) or just drop it and put it on your resume anyway.
I was a VP of my campus's student investment club, and it has been a big selling point in every interview I have had. Put it on your resume under "Experience" and not under "Student Clubs" or whatever. Don't be afraid to sell it up.
I'd stick with it as it isn't a huge time commitment. You're an officer so you can use it for leadership questions in interviews. Also, if you've stuck around for years it shows consistency and loyalty to the group. All in all, what you actually get out of it might not be much, but having it as a selling point for yourself is pretty important. I'd stick with it.
I could just lie and say I want in it until graduation though.
I was also in a finance club. No one ever cared.
They just announces a Welcome Back Luau. I can't handle that shit. I'm out.
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