Build Career-Ready Skills with Extracurricular Activities

Have fun, get involved, and keep learning outside of the classroom.

You've heard it before, and you'll keep hearing it: Get involved in university outside of the classroom! It's a great way to meet people and make friends! You'll have fun! All this is true, of course, but getting involved in extracurricular activities can also help you build additional skills that will help you throughout your degree and in your chosen career.

1. Develop leadership skills with student clubs

There are so many student clubs you can join, and they really are a great way to meet new people and have fun. Student clubs are also a great way to develop leadership skills because you could become the president or vice-president of the club or take on other leadership roles. And if you're part of the same clubs during your years at university, you could take on different leadership roles each year.

Participating in student clubs is also a great way to build communication skills as you connect with others in the club (especially if you're in a leadership position), communicate with students in other clubs and stay in touch with different departments at the university.

2. Develop time management skills by volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to get involved and give back to the community. Whether you choose to volunteer at an organization related to your studies or one that reflects your personal interests, it's important to show up for your volunteering shifts. That means managing your time so you can also make it to class, finish your schoolwork and get the sleep you need, while also helping to make a difference.

Volunteering is also a great way to build teamwork skills as you meet new people and learn to work with them to achieve your volunteering goals.

3. Develop teamwork skills with intramurals

Intramural sports are a great way to stay active while playing your favourite sport (or even learning a new one). You'll also build great teamwork skills because you're part of a team! You'll develop different teamwork skills if you're on a team with friends or if you're on a team with students you've just met, so consider joining both types of teams to make the most of the experience.

Intramurals can also help you build leadership skills if being a team captain is a good choice for you.

4. Develop communication skills with student publications

If you like writing, drawing or sharing your opinion on important topics, consider contributing to a student publication like a student newspaper or magazine. You can contribute even if your program isn't focused on writing or art. You'll build communication skills when you reach out to the publication about contributing, work on your submission and make the final touches during the editing process. Plus, it will feel great when you see your work in print!

Contributing to student publications is also a great way to develop your time management skills. Most publications will have deadlines, so you'll have to be sure to get your work in on time.

These are just some of the skills you can develop through extracurricular activities. Remember, though, it's also okay to participate in activities outside of the classroom just for the fun of it! However you choose to get involved at university, you're going to keep learning and growing as a person.