<p>What do you guys know about Tau Beta Pi, is it worth joining? It's an engineering honor society. </p>
<p>Tau</a> Beta Pi - The Engineering Honor Society</p>
<p>What's the benefit of joining? Is there any benefit to engineering honor societies in general? Will anyone care if it's on my resume/grad school application?</p>
<p>It’s definitely worth joining if you qualify - it’s well recognized and respected and is definitely good to put on your resume. I can’t say much about the activities, but there were at least alumni/networking events, and it seems you can participate as much or as little as you’d like.</p>
<p>Yes. It is very highly respected. Profs on grad school admissions committees, and many employers, will know what it is.</p>
<p>Is top 20% of your graduating class the only requirement to join?</p>
<p>I think requirements for initiation vary by chapter. At my chapter, it was junior standing/top 1/8th of class or senior standing/top 1/5th of class, two full semesters in engineering, and at least one 300-level class. That’s just the criteria to be eligible. To actually join, you had to complete a list of 13 or so activities to be initiated. Those included attending all electee meetings, chapter activities, community service, shining a bent, etc. It may be more or less at your college, but I think it’s worth it either way.</p>
<p>^^ So all you have to do is fulfill the requirements and you’re in? </p>
<p>I know that honor societies aren’t the same as a frat/sorority in the traditional sense, but are they gonna haze you and make you do stupid things?</p>
<p>There is a secret ritual that is done as part of initation. I can’t discuss the details (that’s why it’s secret) but it is NOT a hazing or anything bad.</p>
<p>I would highly encourage you to join. The secret initation (plus annoying fee) is why I didn’t join as an undergraduate. Once I went to graduate school, I immediately sought to join and am now a proud Tau Bate.</p>
As a practicing engineer - 13 years in industry, I am still surprised by the number of employers who recognize and comment on my membership in TBP - the primary reason it is still on my resume. It is very highly regarded in industry as well as academia, and completely worth the time and effort required to join.
I can’t remember what the secret ritual is! I’ll have to ask around and see if any of my friends remember. Of course, it was a few years ago. Obviously it wasn’t traumatic or I’d remember.
I’d say go for it. It may or may not help down the road, but it never hurts.
Honor societies are not as important in engineering as in some other fields, but for the relatively low cost and commitment (already discussed upthread) they are usually worthwhile. And in general, TBP is more valuable than single-discipline societies (like HKN for EE’s) because it has more stringent requirements. It is also more valuable than similarly or more-difficult societies that are in different disciplines or whole-university, simply because it will be recognized and understood.
So do it.
Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) is open to EE, ECE, CE, etc now merged with IEEE, open to all fields of interests of IEEE