One of my favorite undergrad adventures was co-founding Her Campus (HC) with one of my good friends, Mikalah. HC is a digital media site for and by college women. It's a national organization with chapters on various campuses. Anyone who knows about HC at Georgia Tech (HCGT) knows that we were catfished into thinking someone was bringing the organization to campus. When we unmasked the catfish (we never really did, we only found out they weren't who they claimed to be) we were sad because we were excited about it. Mikalah and I, two introverts, decided we'd start it. After a long process of applying and onboarding, we were finally getting our org. We were excited, but also anxious once we took a step back and realized we had no crew or experience. So, we started recruiting for things like a senior editor and writers. We grew quickly, getting an e-board and writers. We were so grateful to the women who put their trust in us, especially when we did not know what we were doing sometimes. It was trial and error, a work in progress, but we made it through. With our progress, word started to catch on and more people wanted to join. I graduated that same semester and gave up my leadership role, but I knew that it was all left in good hands. I have seen the great works of the organization and I am so proud.
I say all this to say, start that organization that you feel the campus so desperately needs. GT was missing that women's touch. We saw the need and we proceeded, even if it was due to strange circumstances. There may be an organization missing on your campus that you and a few friends feel is needed. Find out how you can go about bringing it to campus. Honestly, the best thing to do is just do it. Just start. Starting is half the battle.
In addition, I want to highlight the fact that being a leader does not always mean that you have to be the one with the big personality. You can be an impactful silent storm of a leader who's a bit more reserved. What I look for in leaders is someone who listens and is approachable, someone with good morals, and things of that nature. That's the kind of leader I aspire to be. I am teachable even in a higher position because I don't always know what's right. I feel as though Mikalah is the same. I think this worked for us with our dynamic.
Whatever you desire, go for it. It may be needed. It will give you great leadership skills and experience. It will bring about new relationships. It will give you a different aspect of the college experience. There are many pros that come with developing your own club. However, there are some downsides like time management, the stress of building it from the ground up, getting accepted as an official group on campus, and so on. So, be realistic about what you can do and if it's something that you want to take on.
All in all, starting HCGT is one of the best things, and one of my favorite things, that I've done. I would not have traded that experience for the world. If you needed a sign to start that thing you wanted to start, here it is.
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