The commencement address at Memorial Stadium will mark the end at the University for nearly 11,700 seniors, dressed in blue gowns. Chords draped around their necks will range in colors, each marking a different organization.

But for some, the color will mark honors societies that range from major-specified to campus-wide; however, their importance varies upon each perspective.

There are over 50 honors societies recognized by the University,according to the University’s academics page, and membership for the “prestigious” societies is normally decided during a student’s junior or senior year.

Jennifer Neef, associate director for the Career Center said honors societies are not always as valuable to one student as they are to another.

She said an active society can be helpful to students as they help build skills desired in the working world. However, Neef said, societies that solely affirm what a student’s GPA is, while requesting money, might not be worth joining.

Neef said students considering joining honors societies should ask critical questions about the society’s goals and whether the society has alumni and professional networks, which can have long-term benefits.

Employers and graduate schools look at a broad scope of elements when considering whether to hire or accept a student, and solely being in an honors society will not be the ultimate decision, she said.

However, having an honors society on a resume can’t hurt, said Mike Reilly, University alumnus and president of Cavan Capital, a money management and adjustment company. Reilly said when considering potential employees, involvement with a University honors society is impressive.

“I would look at any activity, whether it’s an honors society, or any activity, as a positive show of the well roundedness of the (student),” Reilly said.

He said students involved with different organizations aside from classes show personal development and leadership potential because they are typically more motivated.

Sarah Kuhl, senior in LAS, is president of the University’s chapter of Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honors society. She said she believes the benefits are worth the $95 initiation fee because the University’s chapter is active on campus as compared to a “mysterious honors society.”

The greatest benefit to being a member is the opportunity to meet representatives from engineering companies who explicitly ask to meet with Tau Beta Pi members when they visit the University, Kuhl said.

“It’s really great to have on your resume and employers are very impressed by it,” Kuhl said. “But at the same time you do build this professional network.”

Kuhl will graduate in May and has accepted a research and management position with the Clorox company. Although she said she doesn’t think Tau Beta Pi was the sole reason she was offered the job, she does believe it helped her credibility.

Sivani Aluru, junior in LAS, is president of the Alpha Epsilon Delta/Pre-Health Professional Society. Aluru said the goal of the organization is to help students get accepted into professional schools after they graduate while offering them additional academic opportunities. Members pay a $75 fee to join and access resources to help students develop their academic and professional careers.

Additionally, Aluru said the society strives to provide underclassman with help and information they can’t find elsewhere. She said the opportunity to work with upperclassmen who have been in their shoes is beneficial too.

“Sometimes younger students get intimidated,” she said. “We really try to get rid of the age barrier here. I can’t think of a single member who hasn’t done exceptional in this program.”

However, Aluru said not every honors society is beneficial. During her freshman year she said she was involved in an honors society which asked for money but provided little to no benefits. Aluru said despite her involvement, the society is not listed on her resume because she views it as irrelevant.

On the other hand, Aluru said Alpha Epsilon Delta has helped her throughout her time at the University, and she expects it will continue to help as she applies to medical school.

“I decided to join this society because I thought it would give me the best advantage to get accepted to medical school,” Aluru said. “And that is the intent our majors have in joining.”

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