At university, it is easy to think your degree is the only thing that matters to employers. Yet, evidence consistently shows that students who engage in extracurricular activities, especially academic societies, not only achieve higher grades, but also graduate with stronger employability skills and professional confidence. 

Academic societies are not just about lectures and study sessions; they are vibrant communities where you can meet new people, make friends with those who share your interests, and enjoy social events alongside academic opportunities. From networking nights and guest talks to quiz evenings and trips, academic societies offer a balance of learning, development, and fun. 

They also connect your subject to real-world experiences. You can deepen your understanding through study sessions and discussions while developing practical skills employers value. For instance, organising events builds project management abilities, managing a society’s budget develops financial literacy and commercial awareness, and leading a committee strengthens teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. 

These are not abstract buzzwords. Leadership means motivating your team to deliver a successful event. Resilience means finding solutions when plans fall through. Stakeholder engagement involves collaborating with departments, venues, and sponsors to bring your ideas to life. These experiences mirror real-world workplace challenges, providing you with tangible examples to draw upon in interviews and applications. 

Research shows that students who participate in extracurricular activities are more likely to earn a First-Class degree, experience better wellbeing, and are more successful in securing graduate jobs. Employers repeatedly report that graduates who have held leadership or committee roles in societies demonstrate stronger teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

“The person I was during my first year of university and the person I am now are completely different. This is because of something I have lived by throughout university: your degree gets you to the interview, but your experiences get you the job. That mindset shaped my journey. I graduated with a First and received the University’s Cecil Angel Cup, all because of the experiences I embraced outside of my course.” - Layna Forbes, Activities Officer 

Running an academic society is not just voluntary work; it is a real experience that employers respect. It involves planning, budgeting, negotiation, and strategic thinking. It shows initiative, reliability, and the ability to deliver results. Your degree gets you to the interview; your experiences get you the job. 

At Your Students’ Union, we celebrate and reward these achievements through Society of the Month, certificates, the Society Excellence Awards, and our annual Awards night. We also offer training and workshops to help you gain and evidence your skills throughout your time at university. 

Being part of an academic society also helps you build lasting connections with peers who share your interests, many of whom will go on to work in the same fields after graduation. These networks often become valuable professional contacts in the future. 

Here are some student testimonials:  

“Being part of the Biomedical Science Society has really given me a second chance at being a committee member. This has helped me to improve leadership, collaboration, integrity and meeting various people around the life sciences department, who share the same passion . It's been a rewarding experience to be part of the society.” - Anurag (Anu) Venkat - Biomedical Sciences Society 

“Leading the Coventry University Art Society has been a defining experience, teaching me to combine creativity with structure. Over two years, beyond the practical skills, this voluntary role has been about building community and creating a space where students connect through art.” - Maristella Barbera - Art Society  

“Being part of the Automotive Society gave me a place to meet like-minded people when I felt alone during university. Joining this society  introduced me to many of my closest friends, and leading it in the years afterwards gave me the opportunity to give back to other students and share our love for cars with many more people.” - Dylan Miah - Automotive Society  

Now is the time to get involved. Whether you join an existing academic society or start one yourself.  

You will:  

• Gain experience that strengthens your studies 

• Build your confidence   

• Make new friends 

• Enhance your career prospects. 

Join or lead an academic society today and make the most of your university experience for your future success: https://www.yoursu.org/get-involved/societies/