Video by Ashley Sierzega and Hailey McDonough
For students, being inducted into one of Cabrini University’s 21 honor societies is an exciting moment. There’s the certificates, the cords and the pride radiating on the faces of parents and professors. There’s the knowledge of achieving something really great.
This achievement is possible for any Cabrini student. Cabrini offers chapters of national honors societies for a variety of different majors from information systems to foreign languages. It also has honor societies for students with disabilities, first-year students who achieve academic excellence, as well as leadership and scholarship at a Catholic institution.
These honor societies have strict requirements for being chosen. These requirements usually include a 3.0 GPA, and is often higher in major classes. Even making it to the induction ceremony is an impressive achievement.
However, what happens after the ceremony? Does the phrase “honor society” on a resume really influence getting a job?
Dr. Darryl Mace, faculty adviser of Phi Alpha Theta, the honor society for history believes that it does. He has seen many members go on to have successful careers.
“We have a lot of lawyers and teachers who have been a part of Phi Alpha Theta, as well as people in other academic discipline. One of our alums is the chair of social studies for the Chichester school district,” Mace said.
Networking is not the only long-term result students can get from an induction. Members of these honor societies see their memberships as significant even after graduation or getting a job from the connections they have made. According to Mace, alums are always invited to attend the Phi Alpha Theta induction ceremony each year.
“Usually between 20 and 30 alum actually come back each year for the induction,” Mace said.
Dr. Dawn Francis was a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, Delta Xi chapter when she attended Cabrini. She is now one of the faculty advisers for this academic honor society for Catholic institutions, and strives to follow its values in her everyday life.
“I still wear my cords each year when I walk at graduation. I have since graduating from Cabrini,” Francis said.
Not only undergrad students can be inducted into these honor societies. They are now starting to induct graduate students, alum and staff members as well. This allows the interactions between members to be intergenerational, and lead to potential networking opportunities.
“Faculty, administrators and staff members are eligible for election to membership upon recommendation of the local chapter,” Dr. Amber Gentile, graduate student adviser of Delta Epsilon Sigma, said. “Alumni of an institution are eligible for election to membership if they have graduated cum laude or have fulfilled the general requirements of membership in some other manner.”
Being a member of an honor society opens doors for students.
“Being part of an honor society is definitely an opportunity for networking and making connections for employment and internships,” Mace said.
