Joining a collegiate organization is of utmost importance to the individual progress of a university student, since such organizations can provide members with the incentives to define themselves, and explore their interests.

Among the variety of student organizations at, McNeese State University, I have been most familiar with the university’s Forensics (Speech and Debate) team. Like most students with no experience in such organizations, my initial approach was not foreshadowing of my future in the team.

As the semesters were passing, I developed a personal relationship with the concept of forensics through an engaging environment. This relationship has been developed through five different aspects of the team.

1. Opportunities

One of the first thoughts that came to my mind before I joined the Forensics team was that I would be subject to receive multiple opportunities. Indeed, the team offers a wide spectrum of opportunities to its members. Membership in the Forensics team is a strong CV enhancer, since the team is involved with speaking and debating tournaments around the country, as well as other academic and professional activities.

Speaking and debating tournaments include, but are not limited to, debating events (Parliamentary Debate), speaking events (Informative Speech, Persuasive Speech), interpretation events (Prose Interpretation, Drama Interpretation) and other activities such as, Extemporaneous and Impromptu speaking.

2. Travels

Among the many opportunities within the Forensics team lies traveling. Student-members have the chance to travel around the U.S., mostly in the South, in order to compete in tournaments and gain speaking and interpreting experience. During travels, the team spends most of its daytime competing in tournaments within university campuses. Upon entering the team, a member is allowed to travel one time in order to watch a tournament, while competitors have the chance to travel as much as they are willing to, in a pre-determined schedule of tournaments. My watching tournament was spent at LSU, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Moreover, the team travels once per academic year for retreat purposes, typically in the beginning of the fall semester. This travel serves as an opportunity for new members to be welcomed and accustomed to the team’s rules, as well as meet and bond with each other. The last two retreats were in, San Antonio, Texas and San Marcos, Texas, respectively.

3. Coaches

A collegiate organization established for academic purposes needs discipline and constant motivation. This role is mainly served by the team’s coaches, Robert Markstrom and CJ Hunt. Both coaches are extremely dedicated to the team and eager to help the members under any circumstances. Mr. Markstrom is about to reach 20 years as a coach, while Mr. Hunt has been a coach for the last three years. Both coaches have had vast competition and judging experience, along with sheer alacrity to pass their knowledge on to the aspired competitors. Furthermore, they are patient and inspiring.

4. Learning environment

MSU’s Forensics team supports its members in a flourishing learning environment, that enables industrious proclivities and academic betterment. The team meetings make the students more aware on the organization and its main functions, while numerous practice meetings take place in order for the members to become more familiar with competitive professional standards. As mentioned above, the coaches are always willing to help and extend their reach to be of aid to any member. Finally, even though the purpose of the team is not focused on the academic side of the university, it could help academics by optimizing communication skills and offering professional experience.

5. Personal development.

Personally, the best thing I managed to get out of my experience with the Forensics team is that it intensified my inner motivation for personal development. In other words, engagement with the team could be of great help in terms of responsibility and productivity. Following the basic schedule of the team is a great way for someone to start laying out a plan and follow a specific purpose. During the process, the students get the chance to better themselves in critical areas, such as, speaking and communication, in general.

Generally, joining MSU's Forensics is a wise choice because these organizations help students to assimilate to an environment, and develop new goals for their lives. Overcoming obstacles may not sound fun, and life in the Forensics may get demanding from time to time. However, who ever succeeded without struggling for it?