College courses are vital when it comes to education, but the key to success is taking advantage of extracurriculars to make your experience as well-rounded as possible. If anyone knows about using extracurricular opportunities to solidify the path as a student, take on leadership roles and give back to the community, it’s Bettina Papageorge ’21.
Papageorge is a member of the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi (DSP). This experience has been beneficial in a variety of ways, including opening up her eyes to a completely new major and direction. Papageorge was accepted to Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management as a double major in marketing management and management, but she realized her passions were somewhere else through her experiences in DSP.
Papageorge says, “I chose to switch my majors to supply chain management and finance based on conversations with other in DSP and their guidance through my multiple positions in the fraternity.”
Papageorge did not only find a new area of study through the support of DSP, but she also expanded those skills learned in the classroom through a variety of leadership roles. She currently serves on DSP’s executive board as the vice president of finance, and her past roles include philanthropy chair, apparel chair, scholarship chair and a member of the recruitment team.
“The reason I am involved in so many leadership positions is that I want to be a part of female representation in the workforce. I want to be a mentor and source of encouragement for women to take on leadership roles,” says Papageorge. “Both the support of other members and my leadership positions not only showed me what I am interested in but also gave me the confidence to become a leader.”
These leadership positions allowed her to give back to communities, as well. As a sophomore, Papageorge utilized her role as philanthropy chair to organize and lead a 5k race to raise money for childhood cancer through the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation. This race involved 120 members and ended up raising more than $2,600.
When asked why DSP seemed like a beneficial organization for her, Papageorge explains, “I wanted to surround myself with ambitious people who push themselves constantly. I wanted to be around people who will push me to be the best version of myself.”
Papageorge also gained perspective on herself as a woman in the workforce through a few of the many networking trips the Career Center offers at Whitman, including Marketing Exploration Trip, Retail Road Trip and Women in Finance Trip. She is also a member of The Women’s Network, Whitman Ambassador, Whitman Peer Mentor and Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
“It is extremely important to get involved to not only find out what you’re passionate about but to give back and help others find their passions,” shares Papageorge. “Being a part of the many opportunities Whitman has provided has given me the confidence to speak up and make decisions in my own life.”
Learn more about Whitman students and their experiences.
- #WhitmanWatch: Nick Andrade ’22 - March 17, 2021
- #WhitmanWatch: Bettina Papageorge ’21 - March 1, 2021