So you received an NSCS nomination, accepted that nomination, and now you’re a full-fledged NSCS member. Congratulations! NSCS members have access to a wide range of opportunities, from internships to leadership opportunities. But how do you get started? What are the first things you should do once you accept an NSCS nomination? Here are a few suggestions.
1. Respond to Chapter Emails
Soon after you’re accepted as a member, you should begin getting emails from your Chapter President. Keep an eye out for these emails as they include important updates about your chapter’s events and activities. Don’t hesitate to respond to the emails, either. Let your Chapter President know whether you can attend an event, or ask a question. Interacting with your leadership in this way is a great way to start getting to know people and familiarizing yourself with all that NSCS has to offer.
2. Attend Social Events
When you see that your NSCS chapter is hosting a social event, make plans to attend! This is a great way to meet other members.
One of the great things about NSCS is the organization’s ability to bring together students from various majors and specialties. So, if you’re used to seeing the same people in your classes time and time again, attending NSCS events is a good way to meet new people with different perspectives from your own. In the work world, different professions need to come together to meet common goals. As an NSCS member, you can get ahead of the game when it comes to multi-discipline work and interaction.
3. Research Scholarships
Scholarships opportunities are one of the key benefits of joining NSCS. We award 26 national scholarships each year. They total more than $500,000 in value. We also partner with programs like Semester at Sea and Absolute Internship.
Upon joining, we recommend visiting the NSCS website to research the various scholarships available to you, and the qualifications. Keep in mind that students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be considered for scholarships. We select recipients across all fields and career paths based on or core values of academics, leadership, and service.
4. Explore Leadership
NSCS chapters need leaders. If you are interested in developing your own leadership abilities, then we recommend getting involved in chapter leadership. You don’t necessarily need to run for President. There are numerous other positions, from Secretary positions to VP roles.
Leadership skills will pay off indefinitely once you enter the workforce. In fact, companies want to hire strong leaders straight out of college. So, if you take advantage of the leadership opportunities offered through NSCS, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes time to apply for your first job.
It is an honor to be nominated for and to accept NSCS leadership. However, this is only the beginning. If you follow up by taking the steps above, you’ll be well on your way towards success. Communicate with your leaders, socialize and meet others, and look into the scholarship and leadership opportunities available to members like you.
