I am looking for advice to help me find a club to join once I decide on a college (HS senior accepted into various engineering schools). What programs and activities helped you like engineering and to help you make business connections? (ie. Formula One racing, programming competitions, etc.) What are good activities to join as a beginner?
Thanks!
That really depends on your school and your interests. I don’t think we can really offer you a whole lot of help there if you don’t know those two things.
True… it really does depend on your school and your interests. But I’ll still put in a plug for Mini Baja (which I enjoyed). Also music ECs if that’s your thing (my son, a Computer Engineer, did many music EC - it was a good counterbalance to his studies - he also did many music-related engineering projects)
@luckyme123 Depending on the type of engineering you’re studying, there will be a national organization for you. For Chemical Engineers, join AIChE. Mechanican ASME…Electrical IEEE. These organizations are typically active engineering groups and bring in speakers from industry which allows you to make business connections.
If you are an underrepresented minority, join something like the society of women engineers SWE or ethnically diverse groups. Look into internships and co-op positions…this is your best path to making meaningful career connections.
I think the competition clubs are fun, can look good on a resume, but probably don’t help you make connections with the local industry. I would say as a new college student you should focus more on organizations that you’re passionate about,allow you to make friends and ease your adjustment to college life. When I interview college students for jobs, I’m more impressed with the student who has leadership and extensive hours with any college organization…It doesn’t have to be engineering specific.