As a student at UF, you probably hear the word “involvement” tossed around a lot. Every day we are bombarded with emails, Facebook event invitations and social media posts advertising opportunities for students to get involved.
We are told without being involved, we are either missing out on the college experience or not going to get a job. While I’ve found that I do agree with these assessments, I still have a lingering concern. Is it better to get involved for the sake of being involved, or should we only do it if it’s something we love? Dear reader, I’m here to argue the latter.
We’re told to do what we love from the time we are old enough to understand. When filling out college applications, we are told to pick a major we like, not just something that will look good on a resume or graduate school application. Some wide-eyed freshmen heed this advice, while others scoff and pick the most logical major for their desired career path regardless of whether they are actually interested in the major itself. I did the second when I was a freshman, and it was a mistake. I don’t regret it, because it led me to where I am now, but if I were put in a time machine and put back in that moment, I probably would not make the same choice.
Field of study is discussed extensively by everyone, not just those who are in college with us. Something a little more specific to people actually in college is involvement. At the beginning of each semester, we fill out applications, attend informational meetings and go to interviews, hoping the coveted organization we so desperately wish to be a part of will accept us. We are fortunate at UF to have a wide variety of options available to us, from professional organizations to recreational sports teams. However, with this massive variety comes a lot of pressure. Which ones should we sign up or apply for? If we're fortunate enough to be selected for multiple, which ones should we choose? Of which ones should we try to become leaders? Whether quality or quantity is more important is very much a personal preference. How much you actually want to care about each is also a personal preference.
I’ve often heard passion compared to fire. However, throughout my time at UF, I’ve noticed all too often that people’s immense, undying passion and dedication for their organizations are more akin to a light switch than a flame. Rather than burning consistently, it can be flipped on and off. Once the meeting is adjourned or the event ends, you would never know the person was involved in it. When the polo, nametag or T-shirt is on, they eat, sleep and breathe it. But when the polo is gone so is the passion. Is this because the organization or cause has served its purpose? Were they ever actually passionate in the first place, or do they just paint on that face because they had to in order to get the position?
A resume makes you an employee, not a human being. Although your work experience is certainly important, think about who you would be without it. When you get involved in something, don’t do it just because it looks good or employers like it. Do it because you like it. Do it because it is a part of who you are and who you want to be. And when that polo, nametag or T-shirt comes off, don’t let it take your passion with it.
Taylor Cavaliere is a journalism and psychology junior. Her column appears on Mondays.
