I have been musing over this for a while. 

For collegians, springtime means the lining up of summer jobs and internships.  So here is what I have been thinking about:  if I ran a business and I was considering two applicants (only one being a sorority member) with similar academic qualifications for a particular position, I would hire the sorority woman.  No question about it.

Why -

Leadership Experience: The sorority woman has had continual opportunities for holding positions of leadership and observing those in leadership positions. Over and over, she has been given the freedom to

• try out ideas
• initiate projects and carry them through to the end
• figure out how to motivate people. 

She isn’t just reading about leadership, she is experiencing leadership.  So, when she comes to my business, she has an arsenal of ideas that she has already tried out.  How can the non-sorority member compete?

Open to New Ideas: The sorority member is a bit of a calculated risk taker. After all, she DID go through recruitment. An employee who is willing to (and knows how to) charge into unchartered territories is going to be great for my business. Can the non-sorority member compete?

Plays well with others: Hello??? What is a sorority but a group of woman learning to get along with one another in all sorts of situations? I would feel confident that a sorority member has developed the people skills necessary to fit in well with my other employees. Can the non-sorority member compete?

Connections: I know that the sorority member (this future employee) has a large network of friends should I be in the position to hire others. Can the non-sorority member compete?

Now, let’s forget that I am the “employer” and lets look at this job search from the potential employee’s point of view…If I were composing a resume or interviewing for a job, I would not neglect to mention how my sorority experience enhances my qualifications (see the above #1, 2, 3, and 4).  Sorority member vs. non-sorority member - this is not a level playing field.

OK, I am never asked, but when I hear parents and their high school daughters talking about college sororities, I insinuate myself into the conversation and get pushy about making sure that the daughters plan to go through recruitment.

Why?

Because sorority membership sets up a support system for life.

The collegiate years - There is a lot of ready information about how a sorority makes these four years a happier experience, with enthusiastic assistance offered in scholarly pursuits, leadership opportunities, philanthropic traditions and social activities.  All right, side-bar:  Yes, I know that lots of people picture “Animal House” when they think of the Greek system.  Aside from being a grotesque characterization of sorority life, do you really think there are no questionable choices made in dorms or apartments?  But I digress…

The lengthy “after collegiate years” time span - This is when the benefits of sorority membership really kick in, in a manner not found in any other type of organization - this is what propels me to forcefully encourage daughters to sign up for recruitment.  Fast forward 15 years - where will our daughters be?  Transferred across the country?  Looking for a new job?  Running a campaign?  Dealing with a family issue?

NPC sororities have alum clubs, world wide, cheerfully offering:  advice - local business referrals - graduate scholarships -  employment networking - and most importantly, a guaranteed comfort zone of sincere friendship.  Having moved to five different states since I graduated from college (or as half the country says, “graduated college”), I can report that the transitions were easier, happier, and more productive because of the sorority alums in each new location.

So, back on my soapbox:  as a parent, I wouldn’t feel like I was doing my job if I didn’t set up a situation for my child that would insure this life-time of sisterly support.  That means I simply couldn’t imagine my daughter - or anybody else’s - not going through sorority recruitment.