Getting Involved and Staying Involved

By: Janna Hines Orr, BS

Now that you are in graduate school, you may wonder why you should get involved in activities outside of class and clinic. When I started my graduate program three years ago, I made it a point to get involved in activities outside of class, especially since this was in the thick of the pandemic. This gave me the opportunity to meet people outside of my cohort and to feel involved in my new city. In this blog post, I will outline five reasons why you should get involved and stay involved in extracurriculars while in graduate school.

1. Opportunity to Network

Everyone has heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” Becoming involved in activities outside your school allows you to meet individuals who may open up new pathways and experiences you might not have been privy to otherwise. Networking does not have to be and ideally should not be just with people in your profession. Audiology thrives on interprofessional collaboration; you never know where you may meet people that will refer future patients to you or whom you can refer your patients to later in your career. The more people you know, the more options you have.

2. Opportunity to Learn

The world is your oyster. There are learning opportunities everywhere. This is your time to learn a new hobby, hone skills you already have, or learn about the environment around you. You may have had to move to a new city for school or externship. Take the opportunity to explore, meet new people, take a class, and start developing habits that give you space to be yourself outside the classroom.

3. Build Soft Skills

There are some skills that will make you a great clinician and co-worker that you just learn from doing. These skills may include interacting with people, active listening, problem-solving, and working with others effectively. You can practice these skills in any arena, such as through local volunteer programs, part-time jobs, or even meeting new people at the local coffee shop.

4. Make an Impact

You never know how you can evoke change until you try. Being an active participant in any organization can give you the ability to make an impact on those around you or the greater community in which you live or work. Being a part of the national Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) for three years has given me a chance to advocate not only for our profession but also for students across the nation. Likewise, in other organizations, you may end up being the voice or influence needed to invoke a positive change in your community.

5. Everyone Needs an Outlet

Finally, “All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl” (I promise that is my last idiom!). Your life should not only be school and/or work and nothing else. Your mental and physical wellness is just as important, if not more. Find things that bring you joy and find a dedicated time to enjoy them. You cannot be the best student, clinician, or person if you are unhappy and unwell. Having an outlet to let go of stressors and outside pressures will help make your grad school experience more enjoyable.

Get involved in national SAA:

• Become a national SAA or micro-volunteer (project-based volunteer).
• Become a national SAA state ambassador.
• Join the Audiology Community to network with other students and professionals.
• Participate in a national SAA campaign.
• Attend the 2024 SAA conference and national SAA educational events and workshops (2023-2024 schedule upcoming).
• Join your local SAA chapter.