Circulated by students of the CUNY system and of other universities, Baruch is supposedly ranked amongst the top for networking. Arriving at Baruch, the rumors seem to be true – many Baruch students are outgoing social butterflies, fitting the stereotype of businessmen/businesswomen.
In such a school, the ability to social is an important trait as it is essential to advancing one’s career. For instance, study finds that 85% of jobs are filled via networking – people would rather hire someone they know rather than a complete stranger.
Slowly simulating myself to the culture of Baruch, a vital question comes to mind, how do people meet people? In class? While the professor is lecturing? While our classmates are busy maintaining their GPAs? Surely not. Then, where else?
Attending the club fair today, I found a method viable to meeting new people, clubs. Clubs are where like-minded individuals come together; as they usually share a common interest, striking up a conversation then becomes simple.
At the club fair, popular clubs were present with a table decorated to attract potential new members. On the tables were usually free goodies as a souvenir of sorts. I visited the table for Lexicon – the Baruch yearbook, GLASS – the Gender, Love, and Sexuality Spectrum, Absolute Adrenaline, and for other clubs. I was most likely able to recall the clubs mentioned above due to their atypical disposition.
Absolute Adrenaline was the first table I visited. There, one of the members awkwardly gave me a hug which made me feel weird as I did not know him nor did I want to. Anywhere else, I might have called the cops or ran away. As I was signing up for the Absolute Adrenaline email list, someone handed me a condom. It was strange at first however, I somehow found it funny. Eventually, I found my way to the source of the condoms, GLASS. As a joke, I signed up for that too. Next, I found Lexicon. They were giving out nice pins and notepads. As a pin enthusiast, I signed up for that too – the pin lured me in.
Undoubtedly, Baruch is a strange school, from the weird hugs to the nice pins, it emits a vibe so different from other places making it deviate from the crowd. I think I’ll enjoy my stay here.
