Seeking Fulfillment and Finding Community

In the land of opportunities that is Virginia Tech, there truly is a seat at the table for everyone. Whether you strive to join a team, a club, or a brotherhood or are ready to embrace your independence, this is a place you can call home. After participating in many organizations across campus, I’ve come to understand the gift of finding community. Entering college can be overwhelming, and even amongst over 30,000 students, can be lonely at times. Community fosters belonging and leads to fulfillment through sharing meaningful experiences.

How do you even start to meet people? Outside of class, how do you find a group that feels like family, or spend your time making an impact? What if I want to spend my weekends adventuring or trying new things? This can all feel daunting to navigate on your own. As I reflect, my response is that you don’t need to know every answer and you are not alone. Take it one step at a time, and remember that you can always change your mind.

I came into college with a clear idea of what I was passionate about. I loved marketing, well-being, and fast-paced environments. I cared about leadership and wanted to make an impact. I wanted to become the best version of myself during these four years and wanted to meet new people who would grow my understanding of the world. I sought mentors and servant leaders to look up to and hoped I could become a mentor by the time I graduated. Although I could identify what was important to me, I didn’t know where to start; a feeling that many students can relate to.

Through countless trials and errors, I have found my stride by being brave and being authentic. It started with sending cold emails to student organizations on GobblerConnect, asking if freshmen were allowed to join. After becoming a member of a few clubs during my first semester, I have been able to prioritize which ones align with my goals and are truly a good fit. It took bravery to step back from some and decide to invest my energy in places that did a better job of filling my cup. I have grown to appreciate a well-rounded calendar, one that includes work, meaningful extracurriculars, leadership roles, volunteering, and wellness outside of my class schedule. While balancing it all can be overwhelming at times, by having commitments that fulfill my passions and keep me inspired, I feel empowered to show up as my best self each day.

While being intentional about the spaces I’m in, I have been lucky enough to find myself surrounded by a community that pours into me. I have role models, mentors, friends, coworkers, and leaders that I love and admire. I have a family away from home that reminds me that I have a purpose by being here and encourages me to achieve my goals. The community I have found at Virginia Tech has been the defining pillar of my college experience.

Seeking fulfillment by getting involved and finding communities that align with my authentic self, is the best thing I could have done to find my place. I am forever grateful for those who have welcomed me and loved me so well on this campus. Never forget that while you may not have found it yet, there is a place for you here and a community waiting for you to take your seat at the table.