Roll Away Your Stone, Mumford & Sons

My mom always rued the fact that, while in college, I never joined a sorority. While I viewed it as a "pay for friendship" deal (sorry to all my friends in sororities!), she saw it as a networking opportunity - admitting that she started regretting that she never rushed herself. I'd make sarcastic quips but as I got further along in my college career, I began wondering what it would have been like to have that many female friends.

I've never been one to have a lot of female friends - if I wanted to psycho analyze myself, I'd probably say it's because of underlying jealousies, which honestly makes no sense because all of my female friends are hot. And that, my friends, is why I am not a psychotherapist.

But finally, I think I'm starting to know what it feels like to be a part of a "network". You know how, when people hear you're a Phi Zeta Delta Omega and they are too, and everyone gets so excited? Or when their Uncle's Sister's daughter is one too? "Oh do you know So-and-So? They're a PZDO off in Tennessee, and I know you're from California, but do you know each other via that telecommunications that all sororities have with each other?"

But I digress. As a recently invited Peace Corps Volunteer, I am finally starting to realize what this whole "network" thing is all about. Whenever someone discovers that I am in the system, they always know someone - whether they are an RPCV (returned Peace Corps Volunteer) themselves, or their friend or roommate from college did it, it seems like everyone knows someone (or someones) who were in the peace corps. And they're always willing to put you in touch.

The incredible thing, though, is that these people are willing to talk to you! I've sent so many blind emails to people for jobs, volunteer positions and so many other things and it's rare you get a reply. But I've reached out to friends of friends of friends in the Peace Corps and had ridiculous amounts of success. They give you advice, they're friendly. All in all, they're great people! I'm only saying that because now, I am a part of them.

I wonder if I still would have felt this way about networking if I had joined a sorority.