For some students, joining a club is a natural next step. They sign up, show up, and immediately find their group. For others, it’s more complicated. Maybe it feels like there’s no time between classes, work, and everything else. Maybe there’s a hesitation—will it be worth it? Will it feel like a good fit? But for most students, getting involved in a club isn’t just about attending meetings or padding a résumé—it’s about finding a space where they belong.
The First Step In
Walking into the GMercyU Club Fair, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Tables line the student center, each stacked with flyers, candy, and QR codes leading to group chats. Some clubs—like Student Government Association or The National Society of Leadership and Success—look professional, their members already talking about leadership and networking. Others, like The Open Jam Club or Creative Arts Club, seem more relaxed, casually encouraging students to join with a simple “Hey, wanna check this out?” But joining a club isn’t always about an immediate “yes.” For a lot of students, it starts with a conversation.
“I didn’t walk into the club fair thinking I’d join anything. But someone from the Black Student Union started talking to me, and before I knew it, I was signing up. I didn’t know I needed that space until I was in it.” – Student in Black Student Union
That’s how it happens for many students—not through a big, planned decision, but through a moment of connection.
Beyond the Meetings
Clubs at GMercyU aren’t just about weekly meetings. The real value comes from what happens in between—the late-night group chats, the side conversations before events, and the friendships built when no one is officially “on the clock.”
For students in professional organizations like The Mighty Marketers Marketing Association or SNAP (Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania), the benefits go beyond college life. These clubs provide hands-on experience, networking, and sometimes even job offers before graduation.
“I went to a marketing event through my club, and I met someone who ended up helping me get my internship. I didn’t expect a club meeting to turn into a career move, but that’s what happened.” – Student in The Mighty Marketers Marketing Association
But clubs aren’t only about career-building. Some are about finding your people. Organizations like Pride Alliance, Hispanic/Latinx Student Alliance, and Disability Pride Club create spaces where students don’t have to explain themselves. They just show up and are understood.
Is It Worth It?
One of the biggest concerns students have is time. Joining a club can feel like an extra burden between work, classes, and everything else. But most who leap realize that it’s not an obligation—it’s the part of college that makes everything else more meaningful.
“I thought I didn’t have time, but honestly, my club became the thing I looked forward to most. It’s where I met my closest friends and got to be myself. College would’ve felt way more isolating without it.” – Student in The Open Jam Club
Not everyone joins a club in their first semester. Some students find their fit right away, while others don’t step into a meeting until senior year. But what’s true for nearly everyone who gets involved is that it’s never just about the club—it’s about the people, the experiences, and the moments that shape your time at GMercyU.
So if you’re unsure, take a look. Walk past the tables. Pick up a flyer. Talk to someone. You might just find the thing that makes college feel like home.
