Organizing student activities is a great way to learn!

Many aspects of faculties are part of tradition, such as auditoriums, conventums and student councils. An important part of social life at university is the student associations and the many activities they organize throughout the year.

Parties, of course, but also sporting, cultural and other events. In short, in addition to their studies, students are busy organizing these events and activities. It would be easy to trivialize these moments in learning; yet those who plan them benefit from unofficial training that even interests recruiters.

Organizing is educational

Because, yes, putting on a big event like the Audencia triathlon or the Altigliss Student Ski World Cup requires a lot of organization and preparation. Whether the students are in management or not, their participation in these events brings them different skills. Firstly, in the preparations alone: finding a venue, booking it, arranging accommodation for out-of-town participants, feeding everyone during the event, etc. The organization must also be prepared to deal with the unexpected and know how to manage.

Budget management is also critical. For example, Altigliss, which is run by the Grenoble EM student association, involves a budget of almost 1.3 million euros. Two-thirds of this sum comes from the students taking part in the competition, and one-third from sponsors. Once again, it's up to the young adults to find the sponsoring companies.

The school only checks that budgets are respected, but does not interfere with the organization itself. At least, that's the situation in Grenoble. At Audencia, however, there is one person in charge who can give his opinion on the president, the two secretaries and the group treasurer. The person in charge has also noted that he regularly has to calm down students who are often too energetic. He also has to teach them how to manage relations with public bodies such as the town hall or companies, and instill in them a certain diplomacy.

Some might think, however, that young adults take it all in their stride. Isn't managing these events like an extracurricular hobby? And yet, you only have to look at the Altigliss organization members running around, dealing with unforeseen circumstances and getting very little sleep to understand that they are serious about what they do. In fact, the selection of new members entering the organization is very strict, and only around thirty make it through the selection stage each year. Students are well aware of the impact of such participation on their CVs.

A boon for recruiters

Moreover, when approaching companies to sponsor their Ski Cup, Altigliss organizers don't just talk about advertising visibility. They talk about the possibility of meeting interesting young people and even future workers.

Because many companies want to take advantage of this informal training where these young people learn about teamwork, problem-solving, maintaining good professional relationships, macro management (e.g.: budget) as well as micro (e.g.: problem with the food dispenser), etc. Not to mention the digital aspect of the event. Not to mention the digital aspect of event management. For example, community managers who manage information and promote what's happening on social networks. What's more, student associations can now use a specially designed mobile application to share activities, special offers, ways of contributing to the association, etc. with their colleagues.

This sense of ownership and responsibility on the part of students will attract more attention from recruiters. The search for truly responsible people is never in vain for any company, large or small. Especially since these people do all this in addition to continuing their schooling. Tasks that are not usually considered part of the university curriculum. However, at Audencia, the work is recognized by 6 credits out of the 60 that a year is worth in an intraschool portfolio.

Organizing student association events can therefore be a great opportunity for a university student to get together with fellow students and acquire informal project management skills. It's a skill that can be put to good use anywhere. Of course, not all events are of the same calibre. A student party is nothing like the Audencia triathlon or Altigliss in Grenoble. Nevertheless, those students who organize major events such as sports competitions, festivals or large-scale cultural events on campus should not hesitate to put it on their curriculum vitae. They're in demand.

Illustration: UWW University Housing Residence Hall Association via photopin (license)

References

Ané, Claire, and Éric Nunès. "Les Associations étudiantes, Tremplin Vers L'emploi." Le Monde.fr. Last updated May 23, 2017. http://www.lemonde.fr/campus/article/2017/05/23/les-associations-etudiantes-tremplin-vers-l-emploi_5132259_4401467.html.

Hodouin, Mathilde. "CV De Jeune Dip? Ce Qu'apporte Une Expérience En Association étudiante." Cadremploi. Last updated: May 23, 2017. https://www.cadremploi.fr/editorial/actualites/actu-emploi/detail/article/cv-de-jeune-dip-ce-quapporte-une-experience-en-association-etudiante.html.

Loye, Déborah. "Gérer Un événement étudiant: Les Astuces Du Président D'Altigliss." Start.lesechos.fr. Last updated March 29, 2017. https://start.lesechos.fr/continuer-etudes/vie-etudiante/gerer-un-evenement-etudiant-les-astuces-du-president-d-altigliss-7806.php.

Rollot, Olivier. "Organizing A Student Event Is Also That Studying Today!" Il Y a Une Vie Après Le Bac! Last updated September 27, 2017. http://orientation.blog.lemonde.fr/2017/09/27/organiser-un-evenement-etudiant-cest-aussi-ca-etudier-aujourdhui/.

Studeal. Accessed December 7, 2017. https://studeal.fr/.