<p>How important are EC's in getting a job from undergrad? I'm at UMD, and I plan on working for the big 4 and then going to a top 10 business school. Thnx.</p>
<p>I hope they are worth it. I own my own business, write articles related to the stock market, involved and plan to lead certain finance and investment clubs at my school, as well as tons of research.</p>
<p>ECs are a good way of meeting people and helping show you're a real person besides your grades.</p>
<p>Obviously you should do ECs that you're interested in. For instance i've already started a club at my school about microfinance. and I'm probably going to start an investing club next semester.</p>
<p>Yes, they're worth it. EC's give you the chance to apply your knowledge and they promote well-roundedness. They can say a lot about your dedication to the field, and this can reflect nicely to a particular job prospect.</p>
<p>It depends. It's not like high school where you can volunteer so many hours a week at a hospital and join a few school clubs so that you can put on your resume that you're a active in your extra-curriculars. They need to demonstrate something and demonstrate it well. Your resume needs to do two things: demonstrate your qualifications and paint your character. Your academics and work experience will handle the first part, but your outside interests are really what is going to nail the second (and could support the first part, as well). Putting down that you were a member of Beta Alpha Psi, however, isn't going to help you much--many people are members and it doesn't require much on your part to join. </p>
<p>What you do want to discuss are accomplishments. Raising money for a charity, playing a sport (that requires a lot of time management) and maintaining a high GPA and being self-employed are the types of things you want to talk about.</p>