Finding Your Community: Ways Graduate Students Can Get Involved at Tennessee Tech
When you think about graduate school, classes and research probably come to mind first.
And for a good reason. Graduate students have a lot on their plates, from completing
coursework and conducting research to working as graduate assistants and preparing
for their careers.
With so much to do, it can be easy to spend most of your time in your department, lab, or office.
But your graduate experience at Tennessee Tech can be more than academics.
Getting involved on campus is a great way to meet people outside of your program, try something new and make Tennessee Tech feel a little more like home. The best part is that getting involved does not have to mean adding another big commitment to your schedule.
Whether you have a lot of free time or just an occasional afternoon, there are opportunities to find your place on campus.
Explore Student Organizations
One of the easiest places to start is with Tennessee Tech's student organizations.
Tech has more than 250 registered student organizations, covering a wide range of academic, professional, cultural, recreational and special interests. Eagle Engage makes it easy to browse organizations and find opportunities that match your interests.
Graduate students can find organizations related to their programs and research, including groups such as the Agricultural Graduate Student Association, Computer Science Graduate Club, Chemical Engineering Graduate Research Association and Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Organization.
These groups can be a great way to connect with other students who share your academic interests. They can also provide opportunities to work together outside of class, attend events, and build relationships with students you may not normally meet.
You don't have to limit yourself to organizations related to your degree, either. If you have a hobby or interest that you don't get to explore through your academic program, check out Eagle Engage to see if there is a group for it.
For example, Eagle Outdoors is a registered student organization focused on exploring parks and outdoor areas around Tennessee. Other recreation-focused groups include the Hammock Club, Badminton Club, and Ultimate Frisbee Club. You might even find something completely new.
Try an Intramural Sport
After spending hours studying or working in a lab, sometimes you just need a break.
Tennessee Tech's Intramural Sports program gives students an opportunity to get active and have some fun outside of their academic responsibilities. The program offers leagues, tournaments, and contests during the fall and spring semesters.
There are a variety of activities to choose from, so you don't have to be a competitive athlete to participate in. Depending on the semester, options can include basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, pickleball, and more. Intramurals are meant to be recreational and are a good opportunity to meet other students while doing something different.
Students can find current offerings, registration information, schedules, and brackets through the FusionPlay app using their Tennessee Tech credentials.
Grab a few friends from your program, lab, or cohort and put together a team. You may find that a weekly game becomes one of the things you look forward to most.
Check Out Campus Events
Getting involved doesn't always mean joining a club or organization.
Tennessee Tech hosts events throughout the year that give students opportunities to spend time on campus and connect with others. Eagle Engage is a good place to browse upcoming campus events and involvement opportunities, and the Student Engagement website also highlights major activities and traditions.
If your schedule doesn't allow for a weekly organization meeting, attending an occasional event can be an easier way to get involved.
Go to a campus tradition such as Homecoming. Attend a sporting event. Check out a SOLO event or stop by an activity between classes.
You don't have to attend everything. Sometimes, simply making time for one event can help you feel more connected to campus.
Give Back Through Service
If you're looking for a way to get involved while making a difference, consider volunteering.
Tennessee Tech offers community service and volunteer opportunities that allow students to give back both on campus and throughout the Cookeville community.
Student Engagement maintains a Volunteer Opportunities page where students can find active service projects and programs requested by community partners. Eagle Engage can also help students discover organizations and events connected to service.
Service can also be a chance to step outside of your usual academic environment. Working alongside students from different programs can help you meet new people while supporting organizations and causes in the community.
And you don't have to commit to volunteering every week. Start with one event or project and see where it takes you.
Take on a Leadership Role
Once you find an organization or activity you enjoy, consider getting more involved.
Student organizations offer opportunities to take on leadership positions and help plan events, organize projects, or support other members. These experiences can be a good way to develop skills such as communication, teamwork, organization, and time management.
For graduate students, leadership opportunities can complement the skills you're already developing through your academic program and research. For example, an MBA student might serve as treasurer of a business-focused organization, gaining hands-on experience with budgeting, planning, and working with a team.
You also don't have to become an organization president to gain leadership experience. Volunteer to help with an event, take responsibility for a project, or simply ask how you can contribute.
Small opportunities can lead to bigger ones.
Meet Other Graduate Students
Graduate school can sometimes feel like a small world. You may spend most of your time with the same classmates, faculty members, and colleagues in your department.
Getting involved outside of your program can help expand that circle.
Graduate-focused organizations can be a good starting point because they connect students who understand many of the same challenges and experiences that come with graduate school. At the same time, campus-wide organizations, events, service projects and intramurals can introduce you to people you might never meet through your program alone.
Meeting people from different programs can bring new perspectives, professional connections, and friendships to your graduate experience.
Find What Works for You
There isn't one right or wrong way to be involved at Tennessee Tech.
For some graduate students, that might mean becoming active in a student organization. For others, it might mean playing an intramural sport, attending a campus event once in a while, or volunteering when their schedule allows.
Graduate school already comes with plenty of responsibilities, so your involvement should fit into your life rather than add unnecessary stress.
Start small. Open Eagle Engage and browse the organizations. Check out an upcoming event. Ask a classmate about a club they enjoy. Get a group together for an intramural sport.
You never know what you might find.
Graduate school is an important part of your Tennessee Tech experience, but it doesn't have to be your entire experience. Take some time to look beyond your classroom, lab, or office. You may find a new interest, build a new skill, or meet people who make your time at Tech even more meaningful.