As some of you know, I recently joined my university’s chapter of the Beta Alpha Psi, a professional club for Accounting and Finance major. I’d say that’s a pretty big risk for me, both socially and professionally. I joined the ASCE when I did my undergraduate and look where that landed me, still unemployed and living at home.

During the first week of the semester, a representative of the club showed up in all four of my classes. They showed an introductory video and passed out flyers urging us to check it out. I was never planning to join because it had the phrases, “find a job” and “improve networking”. I’ve been through this same thing the past five years. I paid $5 to join the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) and poof, nothing. No one told me where or when the meeting was going to be.

So why should I join this club?

When my mother learned about this club in her night classes, she gave me boost from behind and pushed me to join this club.

Alright, one meeting, I told her at the time.

The following Tuesday, I went to the introductory meeting. Surprisingly, it was different than I’ve pictured. One by one, the officer spoke, talked about how the club has helped them and how the club is supposed to help us. That’s when I decided, what the heck, I’m going to join this club, if it doesn’t work, then maybe it’s not meant to be.

Each week, I sat in that room and listened to each of representatives spoke about their company but I could never hear the phrase, “We are hiring interns” until last week.

My head perked up from taking notes and thought, are you serious? 

I went and talked to the representative the second the meeting adjourned. He remembered talking to me during Meet the Firm night. I was so excited. He remembered me from two months ago. I told him I was interested in applying for an internship and that afternoon, the moment I got home, I went to my email and emailed him my resume.

Guess what?

It paid off, I’m going to meet with the audit manager tomorrow and hopefully I have the job! Crossing my fingers because that’s most likely the first risk that’s paid off in a really long time.