Creating Connections at the Involvement Fair
UIC offers multiple opportunities to get involved throughout the year. Many departments and student organizations have a variety of ways to get connected. Whether students show up to events, connect on social media, or send an email is entirely up to them. However, the options can be overwhelming. For those that are not sure how to begin, attending an Involvement Fair is a great place to get started. The Involvement Fair event takes place in the fall, and Winter Involvement Fair in the spring. For students already engaged on campus, the Involvement Fair increases the visibility of your organization and can expand your network. Read on to learn more about participating in the involvement fair.
What’s at the Involvement Fair?
The Involvement Fair features pre-professional organizations, fraternities and sororities and cultural organizations over the course of five days, there is something for everyone. “Student organizations, departments, and community agencies recruit new members, network with other organizations, and promote upcoming events. Over 100 groups are featured daily, bringing the UIC community together to promote a sense of community and belonging, says Vance Pierce, Associate Director of Student Organization Resources.
If you crave face-to-face exciting interactions, don't miss the in-person experiences taking place around campus. No RSVP is required for students looking to visit the Involvement Fair. During the week, a virtual version of the fair is also offered, allowing students to explore opportunities without adding to their commute.
How to get involved
UIC student organizations are able to register if the groups have completed the university’s process for access to benefits and services. Departments across campus are also able to participate, providing support and direct engagement with students. Past guests have visited UIClife there as well! Other departments include UIC Athletics, Academic Success Units, and Academic Colleges, and Student Affairs. Community service organizations get connected with students and groups interested in giving back to local and city-wide communities through service projects.
Chihiro Bacon, Vice President of Financial Investment Group (FIG), shared her experience attending involvement fairs with her student organization saying, “We attend every semester to promote FIG and engage with a variety of students. It’s a great way to get involved and get the word out to students who are interested in the experiences we provide.” Similarly, Zayden Thant, Founder and President of Shutter Speed photography club, discussed how attending the Involvement Fair would be very valuable as a newly formed student organization. Since he had not seen a photography club at previously attended fairs, Zayden took the initiative to create his own! He looks forward to attending it with his organization for the first time next semester aiming, “to recruit and attract students from diverse backgrounds with a passion for photography. It provides a good opportunity to expand our presence and connect with people from all levels of interest at one of the biggest events of the semester!”
Participation in the fair is encouraged for all types of organizations and departments to enhance their recruitment efforts, advertise upcoming activities, and facilitate easier connections with students.
Why should students attend?
Vance mentions that students should attend the Involvement Fair if they want to get involved, develop a sense of community with others, and expand their network of friends. With an abundance of opportunities available, “It helps to have someone to share the experience with and to help carry all of the brochures, pamphlets, pins, t-shirts, food, and other giveaways.” For those who have yet to experience the fair, it is recommended to bring along a friend and approach it with an open mind.
“I like seeing the student clubs every year, new ones that were formed, and opportunities at UIC,” says Fatara Muhammad, Junior Biochemistry student. “It’s nice to attend and see students have fun and engage with clubs and departments. I doubt that many students would know about the clubs and opportunities that exist on campus.”
Anahi Aguayza, Sophomore Accounting and Finance student, loves attending the involvement fairs to have, “a fun and memorable experience. It gives me a chance to do activities and get cool giveaways while catching up with friends from break. As a business student, I can also meet new people and learn about new opportunities to gain more experience.” While roaming around the fair, Anahi also likes to visit friends who are involved in other student organizations as well as organizations that aren’t related to her career. She mentions how seeing STEM-related organizations such as Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) and also special interest groups like Couture Du Jour fashion club are very interesting. Organizations like these have fun elements of interaction such as playing with remote-controlled cars or walking down a red carpet.
Both Fatara and Anahi observed that the fall involvement fair has more variety, with the warm weather attracting more curious students to explore the event. Conversely, while the winter involvement fair has a smaller number of students attending and organizations participating per day, it allows students and organizations to have closer interactions and create stronger connections.
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Whether it’s the thrill of exploring new interests or the joy of connecting with other students, Involvement Fair serves as a vibrant opportunity to get engaged. From fraternity and sorority life to academic groups to cultural organizations, find your organizational home. The Center for Student Involvement encourages students to personalize their UIC experience. Look for connections and opportunities, but if ones you’re seeking are not here, don’t hesitate to create your own. Attend an Involvement Fair to immerse yourself in true UIC experiences, and follow @UICCSI to stay engaged all year.