As a third-year student at Oberlin College, I've held leadership positions in several student organizations, and today I'm breaking down how to get involved in campus organizations and, most importantly, how to lead them effectively. Being a leader has taught me invaluable interpersonal, teamwork, and management skills—essential life skills as you grow older. I’ll also share my best tips for successfully running a student organization, especially if you’re the one dealing with interpersonal issues or scaling the organization up. Let’s dive in!
In high school, I was involved in multiple clubs, so I brought those leadership skills to college. However, it can be challenging to get fully involved as a first-year student while you’re still figuring out how Oberlin operates. But by October of my first year, I had an idea for an event called the “Matzah Ball”—a social event where students could dress up, dance, and enjoy Jewish food. I wanted to create a space for students to celebrate cultural Judaism, especially for those who aren’t necessarily religious.
I assembled a small group to help plan it, and soon Hillel offered to sponsor us financially and provide additional support, which made me President of the Matzah Ball Committee. This role, being leader of a subcommittee of Hillel, was incredibly fun and taught me a lot about event planning at Oberlin—navigating our reservation system, arranging AVI catering, making a professional budget, and coordinating with sound and lighting professionals. Organizing this event taught me that if you want something, you need to take the initiative; there are people willing to support you, but you have to start.
Another leadership experience came during my second year, when I joined Pyle Co-op. There, I took on the role of Dining Loose Ends Coordinator—essentially leading discussions, overseeing elections, and handling external communications. Nobody else wanted the role during elections, so I tentatively volunteered. Although I was new to co-ops and initially found it intimidating, I quickly learned the importance of communication and, just as importantly, respecting my own boundaries.
As a leader, it’s essential to assert your boundaries, even if you’re prioritizing others. I encountered situations where people were disrespectful, but it’s okay to call that out. At the same time, it’s useful to reflect on whether there's an unmet need or an area for improvement on your end. Leadership is a balance between standing firm and adapting to feedback.
My last big leadership experience has been running Oberlin Pole Dance, which has taught me a lot about interpersonal dynamics. The biggest takeaway here is that communication is essential. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings, and when mistakes happen, it provides a foundation for working through them. Initially, I didn’t enforce policies or deadlines, which led to occasional issues. But when I introduced and enforced clear policies, the club ran much more smoothly because everyone understood expectations.
Someday, I’ll write more on starting a student organization, but I hope this gives you some insight into leading one. It’s vital to take initiative, set and respect boundaries (yours and others’), and communicate as much as possible. Respect and kindness go a long way in gaining support from others, and if you’re interested in getting involved with any organization at Oberlin, just ask! Most groups welcome new ideas and are eager to grow their teams. I hope this helps!
