A Club From the Ground-Up: Earning Real World Skills Through a Newly Founded Org
Kevin Felix
When Deisy Perez-Cabrera first stepped onto the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, she was looking for more than just a degree, but for a way to get involved. Like many students, Perez-Cabrera wanted to explore the opportunities that make college life more than lectures and late-night study sessions.
Normally, students have to go through the Wisconsin Involvement Network to find a list of all of the registered official student organizations. Despite several other methods of student org promotions existing, students are having a hard time keeping track or narrowing down their choices.
“I just wanted to expand my involvement on campus,” Perez-Cabrera said. “I kept an open mind to not limit my options when looking for opportunities on campus all the time.”
Perez-Cabrera discovered Invent through a conversation with her now supervisor and co-founding director during a routine chat. A spark of curiosity turned into action, and before she knew it, she was part of the newly founded student org, eager to take its first steps.
Perez-Cabrera discovered Invent through a conversation with her now supervisor and co-founding director during a routine chat. A spark of curiosity turned into action, and before she knew it, she was part of the newly founded student org, eager to take its first steps.
“It felt a bit strange but in a good way,” Perez-Cabrera said. “I know that this is a good change that I wanted to have. I wanted to become more open and try new things that I probably wouldn’t have tried before.”
A thesis from Northeastern University claims basic forms of a traditional student organization in universities, such as involvement, is “directly proportional,” and that students use all forms of energy no matter the involvement. Unlike more established organizations on campus with years of structure and tradition behind them, Invent was still forming its identity. For Perez-Cabrera, that made it all the more exciting.
“The culture here is a mix,” she said. “It’s informal, but there’s still a sense of purpose. There’s space to network, pitch your ideas and grow. But, we’re also learning from each other and making space for everyone’s voice.”
Being part of something new comes with its challenges. But it also comes with the opportunity to build a legacy. For Perez-Cabrera, that means more than just putting her name on something. It is about creating space for others to grow too.
“I think this mindset doesn’t just come from one person,” Perez-Cabrera said. “It comes from the people you surround yourself with. The more you network, the more your ideas evolve. And if I can mentor someone along the way, that’s where the impact really starts.”